The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into fresh corruption allegations against President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku made the demand while reacting to a report by The Gazette, which alleged that Gbajabiamila illegally diverted tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission by relying on what it described as a fake law to secure presidential approval.
In a statement titled “#GbajaGate Too Serious to Be Swept Under the Carpet,” issued through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President described the allegations as deeply troubling and said they should not be ignored.
He argued that silence and inaction would not erase the allegations, stressing that all public officials, regardless of their office, must be held accountable.
Atiku cited the suspension of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari to allow for an investigation, insisting that Gbajabiamila should be subjected to the same standard.
According to the statement, Gbajabiamila has previously faced several allegations, including the alleged theft of $25,000 from a client in Georgia, United States, which reportedly led to his debarment, claims of bribery for political appointments, an alleged ₦400 million bribery case linked to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), and the latest allegation involving the alleged illegal diversion of ₦54 billion from an oil and gas regulatory agency.
Atiku said the matter transcends partisan politics, describing it as a test of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
He accused the Tinubu administration of applying double standards by pursuing opposition figures over corruption allegations while allegedly failing to address accusations involving top government officials.
According to him, democracy requires accountability, and public office holders must not be shielded from scrutiny because of their positions.
He maintained that an independent investigation would provide Gbajabiamila with the opportunity to defend himself while also assuring Nigerians that allegations of corruption are treated fairly and transparently.
Atiku further criticised what he described as the administration’s indifferent approach to the allegations, warning that failure to act would undermine public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption campaign and commitment to the rule of law.