Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil rights advocacy group, has criticised recent accusations made against President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said at a press conference on Monday in Abuja that personal grievances and political scheming against the former Speaker of the House of Representatives were probably the driving forces behind the accusations made against Gbajabiamila, which bordered on appointment-trading.
Read Also: HURIWA praises Tinubu for the ICPC appointment, and asks for inclusive governance
Onwubiko asserted that Gbajabiamila lacked the ultimate say in matters of appointments and cautioned against any action that would sabotage Tinubu’s efforts to maintain unity in the presidency.
We, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), have called this news conference to discuss the disturbing and recent charges involving Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff. According to these claims, Mr. Gbajabiamila may have traded government posts, maybe by substituting people who might have accepted money for the nominations of President-designated officials.
“HURIWA is dedicated to providing a thorough analysis of these accusations, shedding light on the intricate details, and correcting any misinformation.
First and foremost, it’s critical to define the Chief of Staff’s responsibilities in the political leader’s office. A key player, the Chief of Staff works closely with the President to oversee several areas of the administration. These duties include making appointments, setting up schedules, and serving as the President’s point of contact with other government representatives. Crucially, the Chief of Staff does not dictate appointments in a unilateral manner; rather, a number of parties are always involved in the process.
“We also need to recognise President Bola Tinubu’s stature. He is an experienced and shrewd political figure who has a keen understanding of the appointments made in his administration. The President has the authority to accept or reject any candidate, and it is quite unlikely that these appointments could be manipulated without his knowledge and approval.
Therefore, it is important to consider the seriousness of the accusations circling Mr. Gbajabiamila since they have far-reaching consequences. Accusations of influencing government selections have the potential to damage public confidence in the democratic system and the country’s leadership. They may also damage the reputations of those who are the subject of such accusations.
“There is no hard proof to back up the claims that Mr. Gbajabiamila uses money collection to rig appointments. Instead of having a sincere care for the wellbeing of the country, they seem to be motivated by partisanship and personal interests. In actuality, it seems that these accusations are meant to divert attention away from the serious problems that Nigeria is currently facing, such as the ongoing legal disputes and the requirement for stability and sound governance.
“We stress that President Tinubu needs the chance to concentrate on governance instead of getting entangled in political squabbles and attempts to damage the reputation of important individuals in charge of leading the administration, especially after he recently prevailed in a major legal battle that lasted more than 200 days.
Furthermore, we are aware that certain of President Tinubu’s associates, known as “Lagos boys,” have aspirations to hold positions of official government. It is critical to recognise that not every political leader’s close friend deserves or can be appointed to a position in the administration. The ability to contribute to good governance, qualifications, and merit should all be taken into consideration when making appointments.
“These people could be angry that they haven’t been given appointments, but it’s unfair and unproductive to blame Mr. Gbajabiamila in the absence of proof. We think that their accusations stem from political scheming and personal grievances.
We would want to remind everyone that President Tinubu is a wise leader who gives careful consideration to the people he appoints inside his administration. He would not take substitutes at face value without challenging the modifications. There is no reason to think that President Tinubu, who has been actively involved in the governance of Nigeria, would overlook any appointment-rigging. He has been watchful and involved.
“Finally, we implore the public and the media to exercise caution around anybody who might be stoking these accusations against Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila in order to forward their own agendas. Nigeria is currently dealing with serious problems, thus it is crucial to concentrate on matters that are actually important, including development, security, and governance.
“We urge Nigerians to work together and in unison to address these pressing issues and to avoid becoming sidetracked by baseless accusations. Let’s support the government’s initiatives to enhance citizen quality of life and promote national development.
In addition, we urge the public and media to prioritise productive conversations on the urgent problems that Nigeria is facing, like security, good governance, and economic development, and to use caution when reporting on unsubstantiated claims.
Even so. We implore all parties involved to foster harmony and oppose polarising strategies that jeopardise the stability of the country. Urge the administration to concentrate on carrying out its mandate and attend to the people’s pressing demands. We must cooperate in these difficult times to create a more powerful and affluent Nigeria.
