‘They don’t understand his quality, value’ – Coalition condemns attempt to frame Gbaja

A coalition of tribal groups in the north under the aegis of Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly NEYGA, have warned against attempts by some partisans to frame the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila in the ongoing revelations of underhand dealings at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Noting that indications have emerged that some hawks within and outside the Presidential Villa, are scheming to take over the job of the Chief of Staff to the President, the coalition said the plotters are attempting to link the former Speaker of the House of Representatives to the transactions carried out by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Edu is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

Recall that a leaked memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of Chief of Staff to the President revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved N3 billion from the COVID-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National Social Register.

The memo had sparked outrage among some Nigerians on social media.

Reacting to the leaked memo, the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly NEYGA, in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Dan-Musa, said “detractors have failed in their plot against the engine room of the Tinubu administration”.

According to the group, the latest memo that came out was just an attempt by some persons within and outside the Villa to tie Gbajabiamila to the Betta Edu investigation.

Noting that “this is the time for the government to settle down,”, the coalition commended the president for suspending Edu.

The group wonders how the Chief of Staff can assume the position of authority, urging politicians to learn tolerance instead of engaging in direct campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila, who had served several years as speaker without scandal.

Dan-Musa asserted that mischief-makers are blinded by illiteracy behind the campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila.

Part of the statement reads; “To say Gbaja is an authority in law and a professor in government procedures is not an overstatement.

“It is clear some people are still seeking the downfall of one of the best brains in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, but they have failed.

“Someone who managed 360 elected representatives of the Federal House of Representatives for solid four years without any blemish will not fall for a peanut. Detractors do not understand the quality and value of Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The Chief of Staff had crossed the bridge before it collapsed, so what they are pursuing is emptiness, the second day after the Market day!

“We, the concerned citizens for good governance, will soon expose all those behind the evil.

“It is now an open secret that they want the government of President Bola Tinubu to fail by trying to pull down the pillars of support behind him.

“The current Chief of Staff has not faced 20 percent of the attacks one of his predecessors, Abba Kyari, got over wrong allegations. President Tinubu’s verdict on his Chief of Staff’s integrity is known to the public.”