The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into corruption allegations involving President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 14, by the Atiku Media Office and circulated on X by his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former vice president said the accusations deserved a transparent investigation, insisting that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny.
The call follows a report published by Peoples Gazette, which alleged that Gbajabiamila diverted oil and gas royalty funds from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission through what it described as an unlawful presidential approval.
Gbajabiamila has not publicly reacted to the report, while the allegations have not been independently verified.
Atiku argued that the matter should not be dismissed as political rivalry but treated as an issue 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,” Atiku said.
He accused the Federal Government of pursuing corruption cases selectively, claiming opposition figures faced prosecution while allegations involving senior government officials were ignored.
“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,” Atiku said.
According to him, the Chief of Staff should face the same legal process required of every public office holder accused of wrongdoing.
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“You can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability,” Atiku 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.”
The former vice president cited the suspension of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, by the Buhari administration as an example of how such 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,” Atiku said.
He also criticised what he described as the government’s lack of urgency in responding to allegations involving top 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,” Atiku said.
He concluded by arguing that good governance cannot thrive where public officials place personal gain above the welfare of ordinary people.
“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 yet to publicly comment on the allegations contained in the Peoples Gazette report. The claims have not been independently verified.