Politics
FORMER Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into corruption allegations against President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku made the call in a statement issued by his Media Office on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to a newspaper report alleging that the Chief of Staff illegally diverted oil and gas royalties through a purportedly fake law.
He said the allegations should not be ignored, stressing that silence, indifference and the passage of time would not erase the issues raised.
According to him, the matter transcends partisan politics and concerns the fight against corruption and accountability in public office.
“This issue goes beyond partisan politics; it is about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku alleged that the Federal Government could not claim to be fighting corruption while allegedly shielding its own officials from scrutiny.
He argued that public confidence in the rule of law would be eroded if allegations against senior government officials were not subjected to independent investigation.
The former vice president said Gbajabiamila should be accorded the opportunity to defend himself through a transparent and impartial probe.
He recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, to allow investigations into corruption allegations against him.
According to Atiku, the same standard should apply in the present case.
He also referred to previous allegations that had been made against the Chief of Staff, including claims relating to bribery and appointments, as well as an alleged N400 million bribery case involving the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Atiku maintained that the Tinubu administration had not demonstrated sufficient commitment to addressing the allegations against the Chief of Staff.
He added that democracy required public office holders to place service above personal interests and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
The statement was signed by the Atiku Media Office.
Tags: Atiku media office Gbajabiamila Tinubu