The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations that have yet to be substantiated, urging the President to allow due process and the rule of law to prevail.
In a statement issued on Friday, the student body cautioned against taking punitive action based solely on allegations, insisting that public officials should not be sanctioned until investigations are concluded and credible evidence is established.
The appeal comes amid the controversy surrounding allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who accused Gbajabiamila of involvement in an alleged bribery scheme linked to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The Presidency has denied the existence of the council and rejected the allegations against the Chief of Staff.
NANS maintained that while allegations of corruption should be thoroughly investigated, no individual should be declared guilty before the conclusion of legal and investigative processes.
According to the association, adherence to due process is essential to preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring fairness in the administration of justice. It warned that removing a public official based on unverified claims could set an unhealthy precedent for governance.
The student body also urged relevant anti-corruption and security agencies to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations, stressing that anyone found culpable should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The controversy has generated mixed reactions from political stakeholders. While some opposition figures and groups have called for Gbajabiamila’s suspension pending an independent investigation, others, including NANS, have argued that any decision regarding his office should await the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The Presidency has maintained that the allegations against the Chief of Staff are unfounded and has reiterated that existing institutional mechanisms uncovered the alleged fake council, insisting that the matter should be resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
