The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday called for an independent investigation into fresh corruption allegations against President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, said the allegations were too weighty to be ignored, insisting that the Federal Government must subject the President's aide to the same level of scrutiny as other public officials facing corruption allegations.
The former Vice President was reacting to a report by an online newspaper alleging that Gbajabiamila illegally diverted tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties through the use of a purportedly fictitious legal provision to obtain presidential approval.
Describing the allegations as disturbing, Atiku said the matter transcended partisan politics, arguing that it raised serious concerns about accountability and the fight against corruption in the country.
He accused the Tinubu administration of pursuing opposition figures over alleged corruption while allegedly failing to address accusations involving top government officials.
According to him, the government could not claim to uphold the rule of law if officials within its ranks were shielded from investigation despite facing serious allegations.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to suspend Gbajabiamila to allow for an impartial investigation, drawing a parallel with former President Muhammadu Buhari's decision to suspend former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, while corruption allegations against him were investigated.
The ADC presidential candidate also referenced previous allegations that had been made against the Chief of Staff, including claims of bribery and abuse of office, arguing that the latest accusations further underscored the need for a transparent probe.
He maintained that public office holders should be held accountable regardless of their position, adding that Nigerians deserved a government that demonstrated fairness in its anti-corruption campaign.
The statement was signed by the Atiku Media Office and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
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