A coalition of civic and advocacy groups has rejected allegations directed at the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, describing the claims as unsupported and capable of diverting attention from more substantive national conversations.
The groups involved Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora United Kingdom, Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, and the Assembly of Lagos Youths made their position known through a jointly issued statement.
Signatories to the statement included public affairs analyst Kofo Williams, who is based in the United States; Abanikanda Olumoro, who heads Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora UK; Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, convener of Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria; and Lasisi Robert, leader of the Assembly of Lagos Youths.
According to the coalition, its response became necessary following circulation of a video on social media that attempted to associate Gbajabiamila with issues relating to budget provisions connected to the alleged Presidential Fiscal and Investment Policy Commission (PFIPC).
The organisations argued that the accusations lacked verifiable proof and suggested that the campaign surrounding the claims appeared intended to damage the public standing and credibility of the Chief of Staff.
They cautioned Nigerians against drawing conclusions or weakening trust in public institutions based on information that has not been properly established.
The debate emerged after reports alleged that the PFIPC which Gbajabiamila was said to have denied involvement with appeared among items captured in the proposed 2026 national budget. Reports also linked the commission to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), with both reportedly carrying total budgetary provisions above N1.3 billion.
Addressing the development, the coalition maintained that scrutiny of public office holders remains important in a democratic environment but insisted that criticism should be grounded in confirmed facts rather than assumptions.
The statement emphasised that holding leaders accountable should not come at the expense of fairness or due process and warned against turning public discussions into platforms for spreading unverified narratives.
It further argued that government accountability mechanisms already exist and should be utilised whenever concerns arise regarding financial appropriations or administrative decisions.
The groups stated that individuals or organisations questioning budget figures should direct inquiries through recognised institutional channels rather than relying on public speculation.
According to the coalition, the National Assembly remains the constitutionally empowered body to provide clarification on budget-related matters and should be approached for official explanations where necessary.
They concluded by stressing that assessments of public officials should be based on documented evidence and objective review rather than assumptions, online claims, or unsupported interpretations.
