Allegations of Appointments for Sale Rock Presidency: Loyalists Demand Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila’s Dismissal

Some devoted supporters of President Bola Tinubu have leveled accusations against Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, suggesting that he is involved in the sale of government appointments to the highest bidders. This allegation has triggered public outrage, with calls for a comprehensive investigation and the immediate suspension of Gbajabiamila, who stands accused of profiting from these appointments.

The controversy erupted in the aftermath of President Tinubu’s recent appointment of 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Confidential sources have disclosed that throughout President Tinubu’s tenure, Gbajabiamila has purportedly been substituting the names of individuals initially approved by the President for appointments with his own choices.

A noteworthy example provided involves the replacement of the name of the Ekiti REC with that of a former commissioner who served under the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi. The source revealed, “The REC from Ekiti that he (Gbajabiamila) put there, the man was Fayemi’s former commissioner, that was not the person Asiwaju signed off on.” The President himself was taken aback by these revelations and confronted his CoS regarding the matter. The President expressed frustration over several instances in which he had signed off on appointments only to find out that they had been changed, stating that the situation left him deeply disappointed and issuing a stern warning to Gbajabiamila.

In light of Gbajabiamila’s alleged actions, there appears to be a plan to remove him from his role at the Villa by appointing him as an ambassador. A source disclosed, “This is like the 5th time the CoS is embarrassing the President. There is a plan to ease him out of the Villa by giving him an ambassadorial position.” Additionally, the President’s Private Principal Secretary, Akeem Okunola, has assumed some of Gbajabiamila’s responsibilities while this issue remains unresolved.

The President is said to be in the process of assembling a team to provide support to the CoS. Concerns have also arisen regarding the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), as the appointed official did not align with President Tinubu’s recommendations, leading to further discontent. These recent developments highlight the tumultuous environment surrounding the Presidency as the loyalists demand accountability and transparency in the appointment process.