A political association, Progressive Forum for Leadership and Thoughts; also known as the G-50, has described as baseless and unfounded a news story circulating in social media alleging and accusing the Chief of Staff to the president, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila of involvement in corrupt practices and bribery during the nomination and appointment of Ministers and Board Members by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group also described the news report as an attempt to distract the new administration from forging ahead and delivering on its campaign promises to Nigerians.
In a press conference jointly addressed by the association’s Convener, Rt. Hon. Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau Phd, Hon. Abiodun Akinlabi; Hon. Usman Bawa ABG; and Hon. Abdullahi Kontagora, the group which is an association of like-minded past and present members of the National Assembly, declared that “without dignifying the said story with any reply, it is however necessary and incumbent on us to protect the integrity, honour and character of one of our own who is contributing resourcefully, selflessly, diligently, and immensely to the progressive steps, actions and decisions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken thus far in redirecting the status and image of our dear country.”
Hon. Gusau said that, “careful analysis of the story reeks innuendoes, jealousy, envy, bile and strife. It was short in logic, negative in thought and unprofessional in delivery.
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“The story was nothing but a bogus, worthless, ill-thought, ill-advised, disdainful and intrinsically wicked attempt to smear and impugn the image, personality and credibility of the Chief of Staff, and by extension to not only ridicule the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress but to also create and invent mistrust, falsehood and outright disconnect between and amongst all persons, more importantly Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila who is working assiduously for the overall success of the Tinubu government.”
Speaking further, Hon. Akinlade, current Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Safety Standards, who is from Ogun state, wondered why, “the powers behind the masquerade-rumour peddling news story can go to the extent of crafting such obnoxious and ill-mannered falsehood just because they are blindfolded by inordinate ambitions.”
In his contribution, Hon. Usman Bawa ABG from Kaduna state declared that, “it is trite to ask where were these latter-day saints, overtly power hungry and over-sanctimonious people when Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila was passionately labouring, creatively and courageously canvassing and marketing the APC prior to and it’s eventual formation.
“It is very sad and disheartening that having sacrificed a whole lot, in different capacities and positions as Minority Leader, Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, and now Chief of Staff to Mr. President, for the continuing relevance of the APC in our polity, and the country in general, is now being abused, denigrated and vilified through deliberate misinformation and deception-laden stories.”
Gusau said that, “as a pan-Nigerian body focussed on good governance at all levels, G-50 strongly advise and counsel these faceless persons and similar hideous groups to embrace peace, unity, and join hands with the Chief of Staff in his avowed commitment and unapologetic passion to the overall success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The G-50, while commending its members, drawn from the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Assembly for attending the strategy session, declared and assured President Tinubu and his government of massive and overwhelming support because, “as a Group that is wholly and totally committed to national growth and development, we believe in Tinubu’s policies and programmes towards uplifting the standards of Nigerians, promoting true nationhood, and guaranteeing meaningful development through effective, efficient and results-yielding executive-legislative collaboration” Gusau said.
