The Democratic Initiative Network (DIN) has thrown its weight behind the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, dismissing recent allegations against him as politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation.
In a statement issued by its Director of Communications, Dr. Edwin Osuagwu, the organisation condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign of misinformation and character assassination targeting the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
DIN also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent call for Gbajabiamila’s removal from office, arguing that the demand was unnecessary because the issues being raised were already under investigation by security agencies and are before the courts.
According to the group, it was disappointing that a political figure of Atiku’s standing would rely on allegations that are already undergoing legal scrutiny, insisting that due process should be allowed to take its course.
The organisation maintained that Gbajabiamila had no role in the deregistration of any political party, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and urged Atiku to channel any concerns through the appropriate institutions instead of linking the Chief of Staff to matters unrelated to his office.
DIN further alleged that some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s internal electoral process, had unfairly blamed Gbajabiamila for their political misfortunes.
It explained that although the Chief of Staff chaired the APC supervisory committee for the National Assembly elections, his responsibilities were limited to oversight, stressing that the authority to determine party candidates rests with the party’s constitution and leadership.
The group advised dissatisfied party members to seek redress through the party’s established dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to personal attacks.
DIN also stated that the Office of the Chief of Staff was the first to alert security agencies to the alleged activities of individuals accused of forging official documents, insisting that the office should not be associated with the alleged offences.
Calling for restraint, the organisation urged Nigerians to allow security agencies and the courts to complete their investigations before reaching conclusions, stressing that democracy should be anchored on facts, due process and the rule of law instead of speculation or politically driven narratives.
The group also commended 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.
According to DIN, the Chief of Staff has empowered thousands of young Nigerians through leadership development programmes and public service initiatives.
The organisation urged security agencies to prosecute anyone found culpable of deliberately attempting to defame Gbajabiamila, while reaffirming its support for the presidential aide and calling for constructive political engagement over what it described as the spread of unverified allegations.
