Atiku Urges Tinubu to Suspend Gbajabiamila Over Alleged Bribery Scandal

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, over allegations of bribery and immediately order an independent investigation into the claims.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday through his media office while reacting to allegations made by the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Adeyemi had alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a bribe of N400 million in connection with official matters involving the agency.

Responding to the allegations, the Chief of Staff reportedly dismissed the claims and maintained that the agency in question does not exist.

However, Atiku argued that the explanation had only raised more questions regarding the matter.

According to the former vice president, if the agency truly does not exist, it is difficult to explain how a budgetary allocation of N27.4 billion was made to it in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

He said the situation raises serious concerns about the credibility of the national budget and the integrity of public financial management.

Atiku described the alleged budgetary allocation as a matter that should not be ignored or dismissed without proper scrutiny.

He maintained that the allegations amount to a national issue that requires a transparent and impartial investigation to establish the facts.

The Waziri of Adamawa stated that the alleged N27.4 billion budget allocation and the bribery claims constitute a scandal that cannot be resolved through what he described as weak and unconvincing explanations.

He therefore urged President Tinubu to demonstrate commitment to accountability by suspending Gbajabiamila pending the outcome of an independent probe.

According to Atiku, good governance is built on transparency and accountability, adding that public officials must be held to the same standards regardless of their positions or relationship with the president.

He insisted that the rule of law should prevail and urged the president to prove to Nigerians that his administration remains committed to fighting corruption and promoting responsible governance.

The allegations have continued to generate public attention, although no official findings have yet been released by any investigative agency regarding the bribery claims or the reported budgetary allocation.