Atiku calls for Gbajabiamila’s suspension over alleged ₦400m bribery scandal

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations of bribery and irregularities surrounding the 2026 federal budget.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president urged the President to order an independent and transparent investigation into allegations that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional ₦200 million in exchange for facilitating a federal appointment.

The allegations were made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff requested a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off allocation after he refused to comply with the alleged demands.

However, Gbajabiamila’s office has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council does not exist under the current administration. The office further maintained that Adeyemi was never appointed to any position within the Presidency and described the allegations as false and unfounded.

The controversy deepened after Atiku questioned how ₦27.4 billion could allegedly be appropriated in the 2026 budget for an agency the Presidency says does not exist.

“If the Chief of Staff’s position is correct, then serious questions must be asked about the credibility of the budget process. An allocation of ₦27.4 billion to a non-existent agency cannot be ignored,” Atiku said, adding that the allegations warrant an impartial investigation and that public officials should be held accountable.

He argued that the claims raise broader concerns about transparency in the implementation of the 2026 Appropriation Act and urged President Tinubu to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to accountability by allowing the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, pro-government groups have dismissed Atiku’s demand, describing it as politically motivated. The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) accused the former vice president of attempting to exploit unverified allegations for political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also questioned Atiku’s anti-corruption credentials, citing previous controversies during his tenure as vice president between 1999 and 2007.

Similarly, some public affairs commentators and civil society organisations cautioned against drawing conclusions before the allegations are investigated, stressing that while transparency in public finance is essential, allegations should be verified through due process.

The Presidency has yet to announce whether it will initiate a formal investigation into the allegations. The controversy is expected to fuel further scrutiny of the 2026 national budget and intensify political debate in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations of bribery and irregularities surrounding the 2026 federal budget.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president urged the President to order an independent and transparent investigation into allegations that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional ₦200 million in exchange for facilitating a federal appointment.

The allegations were made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff requested a 48 per cent kickback from the agency’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off allocation after he refused to comply with the alleged demands.

However, Gbajabiamila’s office has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council does not exist under the current administration. The office further maintained that Adeyemi was never appointed to any position within the Presidency and described the allegations as false and unfounded.

The controversy deepened after Atiku questioned how ₦27.4 billion could allegedly be appropriated in the 2026 budget for an agency the Presidency says does not exist.

“If the Chief of Staff’s position is correct, then serious questions must be asked about the credibility of the budget process. An allocation of ₦27.4 billion to a non-existent agency cannot be ignored,” Atiku said, adding that the allegations warrant an impartial investigation and that public officials should be held accountable.

He argued that the claims raise broader concerns about transparency in the implementation of the 2026 Appropriation Act and urged President Tinubu to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to accountability by allowing the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, pro-government groups have dismissed Atiku’s demand, describing it as politically motivated. The Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) accused the former vice president of attempting to exploit unverified allegations for political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also questioned Atiku’s anti-corruption credentials, citing previous controversies during his tenure as vice president between 1999 and 2007.

Similarly, some public affairs commentators and civil society organisations cautioned against drawing conclusions before the allegations are investigated, stressing that while transparency in public finance is essential, allegations should be verified through due process.

The Presidency has yet to announce whether it will initiate a formal investigation into the allegations. The controversy is expected to fuel further scrutiny of the 2026 national budget and intensify political debate in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.