Atiku Urges Tinubu to Suspend Gbajabiamila Over N400m Bribery Allegation

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending an independent investigation into allegations that he demanded and received a N400 million bribe through a proxy.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media office, following fresh allegations levelled against Gbajabiamila by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who identifies himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Adeyemi alleged that the Chief of Staff received N400 million through an intermediary and also sought a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s proposed N27.4 billion take-off allocation.

According to him, N200 million of the alleged payment had already been made through Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly died in the Abuja hotel fire incident in October 2025, while the remaining N200 million was to be paid to secure the appointment.

Adeyemi further claimed that the dispute between him and Gbajabiamila stemmed from his refusal to accede to the alleged demand for a share of the agency’s funding.

He maintained that the PFIPC was established with the approval of the Presidency, insisting that the office enjoyed official recognition because civil servants had been seconded to it and a budgetary allocation was made for its operations in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The allegations come despite an earlier statement by Gbajabiamila, who denied any involvement with the council, dismissed claims that he endorsed its establishment, and rejected reports that he appointed Adeyemi to head the organisation.

Reacting to the controversy, Atiku said the gravity of the allegations required immediate action by the President to preserve the integrity of any investigation.

He argued that allowing the Chief of Staff to remain in office while the claims are being examined could undermine public confidence in the process.

The former Vice President also questioned the contradiction surrounding the agency’s legal status.

He said if the Chief of Staff maintained that the PFIPC did not exist, then the reported N27.4 billion allocation to the body in the 2026 budget raised serious concerns about the credibility of the appropriation process.

According to Atiku, the explanation offered so far had only deepened public suspicion instead of addressing the issues raised.

He stressed that the matter should not be ignored, describing it as a test of the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Atiku urged President Tinubu to demonstrate that no public official is above scrutiny, regardless of their position or relationship with the Presidency.

He said good governance demands openness and equal application of the law, adding that allegations involving public funds must be thoroughly investigated.

“The rule of law must prevail in this issue. Let President Tinubu prove to Nigerians that he is sincerely committed to accountability in his administration,” Atiku said.

The Presidency has yet to issue a fresh response to the latest allegations, while Gbajabiamila has consistently denied any connection with the alleged council or the bribery claims.