A pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has raised the alarm that certain powerful political forces are peddling false, unsubstantiated and toxic rumours against the person of the Chief of staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, in order to demarket him before the President.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, alongside key officials of the civil Rights body, while addressing journalists in Abuja, stated thus: “These allegations suggest that Mr Gbajabiamila has been engaged in the trading of government appointments, including the alleged replacement of appointees chosen by the President with individuals who may have offered financial inducements.
“The Chief of Staff serves as a pivotal figure, closely collaborating with the President to manage numerous aspects of the administration. These responsibilities encompass coordinating appointments, scheduling, and acting as a liaison between the President and other government officials.
“Importantly, the Chief of Staff does not wield unilateral authority in dictating appointments; the process invariably involves multiple stakeholders.”
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The group posited that the President possesses the responsibility to approve or disapprove of any nominations, saying “it is indeed improbable that any manipulation of these appointments could occur without his knowledge and consent.”
HURIWA said the allegations that Mr Gbajabiamila collects money to manipulate appointments were not supported by concrete evidence, stressing that they appeared to be driven by personal interests and political infighting rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the nation.
“We emphasize that President Tinubu, having recently triumphed in a significant legal battle that spanned over 200 days, now requires the opportunity to focus on governance rather than being embroiled in political infighting and attempts to tarnish the image of key figures responsible for steering the administration.”
While recognising that there were individuals close to President Tinubu who aspire to official government positions, it said it was vital to acknowledge that not every close associate of a political leader should be appointed to government positions.
“These individuals may be frustrated about not receiving appointments, but blaming Mr Gbajabiamila without concrete evidence is neither productive nor fair. We believe that their allegations are driven by personal grievances and political manoeuvring.
“We urge the public and the media to be cautious of individuals who may be pursuing personal interests by fueling these allegations against Mr Femi Gbajabiamila. Nigeria is currently facing critical challenges, and it is essential to focus on issues that truly matter, such as development, security, and governance.”
“More so, we urge all stakeholders to promote unity and discourage divisive tactics that can undermine the nation’s stability. Encourage the government to focus on its mandate and address the urgent needs of the people.”
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