Since his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu on June 2, 2023, Femi Gbajabiamila has remained one of the most influential figures in the administration. As gatekeeper to the presidency and a key figure in government decision-making, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives occupies a position that demands not only integrity but also the appearance of integrity.
Over the past three years, however, his tenure has repeatedly been overshadowed by allegations ranging from influence-peddling in political appointments to questions surrounding his alleged involvement in controversies linked to government agencies and public funds. While allegations are not proof of guilt, the growing number of controversies associated with the office of the chief of staff raises important questions that can no longer be ignored.
In every democracy, public trust is the currency of governance. Once that trust begins to erode, institutions suffer and citizens become increasingly cynical about government promises. This is why the latest controversy involving the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) deserves urgent and transparent scrutiny.
The matter became even more troubling after Gbajabiamila publicly distanced himself and the presidency from the organisation, insisting that no such agency exists within the structure of government. The disclaimer was categorical and unambiguous. The chief of staff warned both Nigerians and international stakeholders to be wary of the promoters of the organisation.
Ordinarily, that should have settled the issue. Instead, the disclaimer opened the door to even more questions.
The director-general of the group, Yemi Adeyemi, has publicly challenged the chief of staff’s position and petitioned President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the matter. According to Adeyemi, references to the PFIPC and related agencies allegedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act. He has also raised questions about reported budgetary allocations, alleged official documentation and other administrative actions connected to the agencies. In his press statement, he asked some critical questions and raised some allegations that need clarification.
Most of these claims remain unverified. Neither the presidency nor the chief of staff has publicly responded to the latest allegations. Yet the issues raised are serious enough to warrant a comprehensive investigation.
The controversy became even more significant following a report by TheCable which indicated that the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was listed under the presidency in the 2026 budget with an allocation exceeding N1.3 billion.
If accurate, such a development creates an obvious contradiction between official budget documents and the presidency’s public position that the agency does not exist. Nigerians deserve clarity.
The question is not whether Gbajabiamila is guilty of wrongdoing. The question is whether the circumstances surrounding these allegations are sufficiently grave to require an independent investigation. The answer is yes.
In February 2024, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas publicly called on security agencies to investigate allegations involving Gbajabiamila on his alleged link to the scandal that ousted Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
Abbas rightly warned that while fake news and malicious campaigns must be discouraged, allegations capable of undermining public confidence in democratic institutions should not simply be dismissed. That intervention remains relevant today.
The danger in situations like this is not merely the allegations themselves. The greater danger is the perception that powerful individuals can use public office to shield themselves from scrutiny. Such perceptions weaken institutions, damage democratic accountability and fuel public distrust.
For President Tinubu, the stakes are particularly high.
Since assuming office, the president has repeatedly assured Nigerians that his administration is committed to fighting corruption and promoting transparency in public service. Those promises cannot remain mere slogans. They must be demonstrated through actions, especially when questions arise around individuals occupying the highest offices of government.
This is why the president must resist the temptation to treat the matter as a political disagreement between rival interests.
What is required is a credible, independent and transparent inquiry.
Such an investigation should examine every aspect of the controversy. It should review the status of the agencies in question, the circumstances surrounding any budgetary allocations linked to them, the authenticity of relevant government documents, the allegations of financial transactions, and any other claims made by the parties involved. The findings should also be made public.
Only a transparent process can restore confidence in the integrity of government institutions.
For Gbajabiamila himself, stepping aside temporarily while investigations are conducted should not be viewed as an admission of guilt. Rather, it would be an opportunity to demonstrate respect for democratic accountability and confidence in the investigative process.
Around the world, public officials have voluntarily stepped aside while investigations are ongoing, not because they were guilty but because they recognised that public office should not become a shield against scrutiny.
The office of the chief of staff is too important to be distracted by controversy.
By temporarily relinquishing his duties during an investigation, Gbajabiamila would help eliminate concerns about undue influence, witness intimidation or interference with the investigative process. More importantly, he would strengthen public confidence in whatever conclusions emerge from the inquiry.
Failure to do so would inevitably create the impression that there is one standard for ordinary Nigerians and another for politically connected officials.
That would be a dangerous message.
The issue before the country today transcends personalities. It is bigger than Gbajabiamila, Adeyemi or any other individual involved in the dispute. It concerns the integrity of public institutions and the credibility of government itself.
Nigerians pay taxes under difficult economic conditions. They deserve to know how public funds are allocated and spent. They deserve answers when contradictions emerge between official statements and public records. They deserve assurances that no public official, regardless of status or influence, is beyond accountability.
The Tinubu administration now faces a defining test. If the president genuinely believes in transparency and accountability, he should immediately constitute an independent panel to investigate the allegations and make its findings public. The investigation should be insulated from political interference and should have the authority to summon relevant officials and review all necessary documents. The same yardstick that was used for Betta Edu should also be used for Gbajabiamila if found guilty.
Simultaneously, Gbajabiamila should step aside to allow the process to proceed without controversy. Anything less would undermine public confidence and strengthen suspicions that anti-corruption rhetoric is not being matched by action.
Democracy survives when institutions are stronger than individuals. It flourishes when public officials submit themselves to scrutiny. And it earns the trust of citizens when allegations of wrongdoing are investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.
The time for that process is now. Nigerians deserve nothing less than the truth.
Akinsuyi, former group politics editor of the Daily Independent, writes from Abuja. He can be reached via shabydayo@gmail.com
