Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into fresh corruption allegations involving President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying the claims should not be ignored.
The call was made in a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja on Tuesday.
The call was a reaction to a report by The Gazette, which alleged that Gbajabiamila illegally secured approval to divert about ₦54 billion in oil and gas royalty funds through the use of what it described as a fake law.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and Gbajabiamila had not publicly responded to them as of the time the statement was issued.
Reacting to the report, Atiku said the allegations should be subjected to a transparent investigation, arguing that public officials should be held accountable whenever corruption claims arise.
“This issue goes beyond partisan politics; it’s about the impunity of corruption that undermines the welfare and future of ordinary Nigerians,” Atiku said.
He also accused the Federal Government of applying different standards in the handling of corruption allegations involving opposition figures and serving government officials.
“You can’t preach the rule of law when your own officials are awarded with the trophy of untouchability,” he stated.
Atiku further argued that Gbajabiamila should be investigated in the same manner as other public officials facing corruption allegations, recalling that former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, while investigations into allegations against him were ongoing.
The statement also referenced previous allegations that have been made against the Chief of Staff over the years, arguing that the latest claims warrant an independent investigation to allow him respond to the allegations.
The former Vice President urged the Federal Government to ensure that anti-corruption efforts are applied without bias, insisting that every public office holder should be treated equally under the law.