Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
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ABUJA, NIGERIA – A coalition of over 50 civil society organisations has thrown its weight behind the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, dismissing allegations linking him to a purported ₦400 million bribery demand as a “malicious smear campaign” orchestrated by individuals facing criminal prosecution.
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice, in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, described the accusations against the presidential aide as “ridiculous, heavily funded and politically motivated.”
The coalition alleged that the claims were being propagated by Adeniyi Adeyemi, whom it described as the prime suspect in an alleged fake agency scandal involving the purported “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”
According to the group, Adeyemi is currently facing prosecution on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation, and should not be taken seriously by the public.
The coalition further claimed that Gbajabiamila’s office was instrumental in exposing the alleged fraudulent syndicate, noting that the Chief of Staff had petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, leading to investigations and arrests.
“It is the textbook definition of corruption fighting back,” the coalition stated, arguing that the allegations were a desperate attempt by a suspect facing prosecution to tarnish the image of the official who exposed the scheme.
The group also alleged that certain political interests and “entrenched cartels” were behind the campaign against the Chief of Staff because of his role as a “strict and uncompromising gatekeeper” in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the coalition, these forces are allegedly seeking to distract the government and undermine the Presidency through attacks on Gbajabiamila.
Expressing confidence in the Chief of Staff’s leadership, the coalition passed what it described as a “Vote of Absolute Confidence” on him, praising his administrative competence and commitment to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The group also called on the Inspector-General of Police and the judiciary to ensure the speedy prosecution of individuals behind the alleged fake agency, insisting that those responsible must be held accountable for allegedly embarrassing the country and attempting to defraud members of the diplomatic community.
It further urged the media and Nigerians to ignore what it described as the “tantrums of a cornered suspect facing serious federal charges.”
“The Coalition will not stand by and allow dedicated public servants to be harassed by fraudsters and political opportunists,” the statement added.
The controversy surrounding the alleged fake agency and the ensuing accusations against top government officials has continued to generate public debate, with calls mounting for a thorough investigation and speedy resolution of the matter.
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