Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into recent corruption allegations involving President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In a statement issued on Tuesday through the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president said the accusations were serious enough to warrant a thorough probe, stressing that no public official should be above scrutiny.
His comments followed a report by Peoples Gazette, which alleged that Gbajabiamila facilitated the diversion of oil and gas royalty funds from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission using what it described as an unlawful presidential approval. The Chief of Staff has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
Atiku argued that the issue should not be viewed through a political lens but as a matter of public accountability.
“This issue goes beyond partisan politics; it’s about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
He also accused the Federal Government of being selective in its anti-corruption drive.
“This level of corruption is unprecedented, and the government can’t pretend to be prosecuting opposition figures for corruption, while corruption is growing like weeds under its own nose,” he said.
The ADC candidate insisted that Gbajabiamila should face the same level of accountability expected of any public office holder.
“You can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability,” he said.
He added, “Gbajabiamila must be held accountable like every other public official and independently investigated to give him a full opportunity to defend himself against the brazen act of corruption as detailed in the Gazette report.”
Atiku referenced the suspension of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it demonstrated how corruption allegations should be handled.
“Former President Buhari suspended his SGF, Babachir Lawal, from office to allow for an unfettered investigation, and Gbajabiamila shouldn’t be treated differently,” he said.
He further criticised the Tinubu administration’s response to corruption allegations involving top government officials.
“Given the apathetic and lackadaisical attitude of the Tinubu administration to the gale of corruption scandals against the Chief of Staff, it’s apparent that the government is just going through the motions to fool Nigerians.
“Democracy is public service, and when political office holders prioritise the amassing of personal wealth while ordinary people are dying of hunger and preventable diseases, the Tinubu administration cannot pretend to be serving the people.”
Gbajabiamila has not issued any public response to the allegations, while the claims contained in the Peoples Gazette report remain unverified.
