The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to a purported N400 million bribery scandal.

Atiku also questioned the inclusion of N27.4 billion in the 2026 national budget for what he described as a non-existent government agency, insisting that the development raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the federal government.

In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate a commitment to good governance by allowing an independent investigation into the allegations and ensuring that no public official is shielded from scrutiny.

The controversy stems from allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi accused Gbajabiamila of involvement in an alleged N400 million bribery scheme.

According to Atiku, reports that the Chief of Staff dismissed PFIPC as a non-existent agency have only deepened public concerns rather than addressing them.

He argued that if the agency truly does not exist, questions must be asked about how N27.4 billion found its way into the 2026 budget for its operations.

“How can you allocate N27.4 billion in the budget to a government agency that does not exist without raising serious concerns about the integrity of the budgeting process?” Atiku asked.

The ADC candidate said the matter extends beyond the bribery allegation and now touches on the credibility of public financial management. He maintained that the reported budget allocation represents a major accountability issue that deserves a thorough and transparent investigation.

Atiku stressed that transparency and accountability remain the foundation of good governance and warned against any attempt to sweep the matter aside.

He called for Gbajabiamila’s temporary suspension to create room for an independent probe, arguing that public confidence in government institutions depends on the willingness of leaders to subject themselves to scrutiny.

“Good governance is based on transparency and accountability. President Tinubu must lead by example by holding his Chief of Staff to the same standards expected of every public official,” Atiku said.

Group Defends Gbajabiamila, Accuses Atiku of Political Double Standards

Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) has strongly defended Gbajabiamila, describing him as a public servant with an impressive record of integrity and service.

In a statement signed by its National President, Mohammed Aliyu, the group accused Atiku of hypocrisy and political opportunism, claiming that his criticism of the Chief of Staff was driven by political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group maintained that while any allegation should be properly investigated, Atiku lacks the moral authority to position himself as an anti-corruption advocate.

“Gbajabiamila is a saint compared to the mountain of corruption allegations that have trailed Atiku Abubakar throughout his public life,” the statement said.

AYIF argued that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives has built a reputation for legislative reforms and effective public service, adding that unproven allegations should not be used as political weapons.

The forum further warned against what it described as attempts by opposition figures to exploit unresolved allegations for political gain, insisting that due process should be allowed to take its course.

The exchange marks the latest political clash between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures, as debates over accountability, public spending and governance continue to dominate the national conversation.