The Democratic Initiative Network (DIN) has come to the defence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, describing recent allegations against him as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation.
In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Dr. Edwin Osuagwu, the group condemned what it described as a sustained campaign of misinformation and character assassination targeting the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
DIN specifically criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent call for Gbajabiamila’s removal, describing the demand as unnecessary and based on issues already under investigation by security agencies and before the courts.
According to the group, it was surprising that a politician of Atiku’s stature would rely on allegations that, it said, were already being handled through the appropriate legal channels.
The organisation argued that the Chief of Staff had no involvement in the deregistration of any political party, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and urged Atiku to direct any grievances to the relevant institutions rather than dragging Gbajabiamila into matters unrelated to him.
DIN also alleged that some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were unsuccessful during the party’s internal electoral process, were unfairly blaming the Chief of Staff for their political setbacks.
The group maintained that while Gbajabiamila chaired the APC supervisory committee for the National Assembly elections, his role was strictly supervisory, noting that the power to determine candidates rests with the party’s leadership and constitution.
It therefore advised dissatisfied party members to seek redress through established party structures instead of engaging in personal attacks.
The organisation further stated that the Office of the Chief of Staff was the institution that first alerted security agencies to the alleged activities of individuals accused of forging official documents, insisting that the office should not be portrayed as being connected to the alleged wrongdoing.
DIN called on Nigerians to allow security agencies and the courts to conclude their investigations before drawing conclusions, stressing that democracy should be guided by facts, due process and the rule of law rather than rumours or politically motivated narratives.
The group also praised Gbajabiamila’s record in public service, describing his tenure as Speaker of the Ninth House of Representatives as one of the most impactful in Nigeria’s democratic history.
It noted that the Chief of Staff has mentored and empowered thousands of young Nigerians through leadership development and public service initiatives.
DIN urged security agencies to ensure that anyone found behind what it described as deliberate attempts to defame Gbajabiamila’s character is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The organisation reaffirmed its support for the Chief of Staff and called on those behind what it termed coordinated attacks to embrace constructive political engagement instead of spreading unverified allegations.
