PDP faction demands probe into Gbajabiamila scandal, seeks official suspension

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch an independent investigation into allegations against his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The party's Kabiru Turaki faction stated that the controversy raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and security within the Presidency.

The allegations stem from claims by Adeyemi Matthew, who asserts that Gbajabiamila solicited financial inducements to facilitate his appointment to a supposed Presidential Economic Advisory Council. The Presidency has denied these claims, stating Matthew fraudulently presented himself as heading non-existent government bodies and is currently facing charges for forgery and impersonation.

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If, on the other hand, Prince Matthew’s account is accurate, that the chief of staff solicited and actually received bribes to facilitate his appointment, then this is yet another act of shameless corruption added to a long and growing queue of unchallenged corrupt officials in this administration. Anyway, this pendulum swings, the Nigerian people lose.

However, the PDP faction argued that regardless of which account is true, the situation reflects poorly on the federal government. If Matthew is an impostor, it suggests the government is vulnerable and its gatekeepers are incompetent or distracted. If the bribery claims are accurate, it signifies another act of corruption within the administration. "Anyway this pendulum swings, the Nigerian people lose," the faction's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said.

The opposition party further questioned how an alleged impostor could operate from government premises, have staff, and receive budgetary provisions without detection. They accused the Tinubu administration of inadequate response to what they termed a major institutional failure. The faction urged President Tinubu to order a forensic investigation, suspend all involved officials, reorganize the Presidency, and issue an apology to Nigerians.

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If the Presidency’s account is correct, that Prince Matthew is an impostor, then it means the Federal Government is so porous and vulnerable, an admission that the country has been brazenly defrauded because institutional gatekeepers entrusted with protecting our collective patrimony are either grossly incompetent or thoroughly distracted from the responsibilities of governance.