NANS to Tinubu: Don’t Sack Gbajabiamila Over Unproven PFIPC Allegations

NANS to Tinubu: Don’t Sack Gbajabiamila Over Unproven PFIPC Allegations

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 arising from the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that no public official should be sanctioned before the completion of a credible and impartial investigation.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, described calls for Gbajabiamila’s dismissal as premature, urging Nigerians to uphold the constitutional principles of due process, fair hearing, and the presumption of innocence.

The student body said it had closely followed recent developments involving Gbajabiamila and Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, stressing that while corruption allegations must always be taken seriously, they should be investigated through lawful institutions rather than adjudicated in the court of public opinion.

According to NANS, every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional protection that presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

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“We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a loyal and dedicated public servant to be sacrificed on the altar of unsubstantiated accusations before the truth is established,” the association stated.

The appeal comes amid growing public debate over the PFIPC, an organisation that the Presidency has publicly stated is not a recognised agency under the Tinubu administration.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga recently maintained that the Federal Government does not recognise the PFIPC and disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force had filed an eight-count criminal charge against Adeyemi over allegations including forgery, impersonation, and related offences.

Despite the Presidency’s position, the controversy intensified after documents surfaced showing that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved a waiver in August 2025 for the recruitment of 300 personnel into the PFIPC despite an existing embargo on public service recruitment. The council was also reportedly allocated about N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act, prompting renewed scrutiny over its legal status and operations.

Adeyemi has consistently rejected the Presidency’s position, insisting that the PFIPC is a legitimate government initiative. He has also publicly alleged that the dispute stemmed from his refusal to surrender a portion of the council’s take-off grant and claimed he paid money to secure his appointment. Those allegations have not been proven in court, and no judicial findings have been made against the Chief of Staff.

Against this backdrop, NANS urged Nigerians to avoid reaching conclusions before ongoing investigations and court proceedings are concluded.

Afeez said the association supports the fight against corruption but believes it must always be conducted within the framework of justice, equity, fairness, and the rule of law.

He called on the appropriate law enforcement and investigative agencies to conduct a transparent, independent, and comprehensive investigation into all claims surrounding the controversy.

According to him, every allegation, supporting document, and the conduct of all parties involved should be objectively scrutinised before any administrative or political action is taken.

The student body also defended Gbajabiamila’s record in public service, describing the former Speaker of the House of Representatives as a leader who has consistently demonstrated commitment to democratic governance, education, and youth development.

NANS recalled his role during the 2022 Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, noting that he facilitated dialogue between the Federal Government and the union at a critical period when public universities were shut down for several months.

The association argued that Gbajabiamila had maintained a longstanding relationship with Nigerian students through legislative interventions and policy engagements aimed at improving the education sector.

While reaffirming its support for accountability, transparency, and responsible governance, NANS insisted that allegations alone should never replace established judicial processes.

The association warned against what it described as trial by media, political witch-hunts, and attempts to weaken public institutions through claims that have not been subjected to judicial scrutiny.

It further noted that concerns had also been raised regarding Adeyemi’s previous dealings with some organisations, arguing that his allegations against the Chief of Staff should not be accepted as established facts until investigations and court proceedings are concluded.

NANS maintained that respecting the principles of due process is essential to preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring that justice is administered fairly.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the association urged all stakeholders to allow law enforcement agencies and the courts to determine the facts, rather than relying on speculation or public pressure.

NANS to Tinubu: Don’t Sack Gbajabiamila Over Unproven PFIPC Allegations