Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said silence, indifference and passage of time could not kill the unfolding corruption allegations against President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Reacting to the latest report by the _Gazette_ newspaper, accusing the Chief of Staff of “illegally cornering tens of billions of naira in oil and gas royalties from petroleum regulatory commission, citing a fake law for presidential approval,” Atiku said he was baffled by such level of large-scale corruption and the impunity that legitimises it.
According to a statement from his Media office, the ADC Presidential candidate stated, “This issue goes beyond partisan politics; it’s about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians.”
The former vice-president explained that, “This level of corruption is unprecedented and the government can’t pretend to be prosecuting opposition figures for corruption, while corruption is growing like weed under its own nose.”
Atiku reminded the Tinubu administration that, “You can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability.”
“Gbajabiamila must be held accountable like every other public official and independently investigated to give him full opportunity to defend himself against the brazen act of corruption as detailed in the Gazette report.”
He said the Chief of Staff has been mentioned in multiple allegations of bribery and corruption that has tainted the office of the President’s key aide: “Stealing of $25,000 from a client in Georgia, USA leading to his debarment; Multiple allegations of bribe-for-appointments; Bribery allegation of N400m in the PFIPC and now this illegal cornering of N52 billion from an oil and gas regulatory age”.
Atiku referenced precedent, noting, “Former President Buhari suspended his SGF Babachir Lawal from office in order to allow for unfettered investigation against him and Gbajabiamila shouldn’t be treated differently.”
He added that, “Given the apathetic and lackadaisical attitude of the Tinubu administration to the gales of corruption scandals against the Chief of Staff, it’s apparent that the government is just going through the motions to fool Nigerians.
“Democracy is public service and when political office holders prioritise the amassing of personal wealth while the ordinary people are dying of hunger and preventable diseases, the Tinubu administration cannot pretend to be serving the people.”