The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations that are yet to be proven.
NANS President, President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, reacting to the development in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said calls for Gbajabiamila’s dismissal were premature and contrary to the principle of due process, insisting that no public official should be punished on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.
Afeez said NANS has closely monitored the controversy involving the Chief of Staff and Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
According to him, while the fight against corruption remains essential, it must be pursued within the framework of justice, fairness, equity and the rule of law.
The association stressed that every Nigerian is constitutionally presumed innocent until proven guilty through a transparent, credible and lawful process, warning against what it described as attempts to convict Gbajabiamila in the court of public opinion.
“We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a loyal and dedicated public servant to be sacrificed on the altar of unsubstantiated accusations before the truth is established,” the statement said.
NANS also noted that the Presidency had publicly stated that Adeyemi was not representing any legitimate agency of the Federal Government and that the PFIPC is not an agency under the current administration.
Afeez in the statement further referenced the Presidency’s disclosure that criminal charges had been instituted against Adeyemi, saying the development underscored the need for restraint and an impartial investigation into all claims.
He called on Nigerians to allow the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough, independent and unbiased investigation, adding that the credibility of every allegation, the supporting evidence and the conduct of all parties should be objectively examined before conclusions are drawn.
Defending Gbajabiamila’s record in public service, NANS said the former Speaker of the House of Representatives had demonstrated exemplary leadership over the years, particularly through his role in facilitating engagements that contributed to resolving the 2022 Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, which helped restore academic activities across the country.
The association added that Gbajabiamila had consistently identified with the aspirations of Nigerian students and supported initiatives aimed at advancing education and youth development.
While reaffirming its commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law, NANS maintained that it would continue to support every lawful effort to uncover the truth but rejected trial by media, political witch-hunts and attempts to undermine public institutions through allegations that have not been subjected to due process.
The student body also argued that concerns had been raised over Adeyemi’s alleged past dealings with several organisations, insisting that his claims against the Chief of Staff should not be treated as established facts until all investigations have been concluded.