More than 350 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have thrown their weight behind the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, dismissing allegations made against him by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as “baseless,” “false,” and unsupported by credible evidence.
The coalition made its position known on Friday during a press conference in Abuja following what it described as an emergency meeting convened to address allegations leveled against the president’s Chief of Staff.
According to the coalition, Prince Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of a “non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council” while making allegations against Gbajabiamila.
The position of the coalition was contained in a statement jointly signed by representatives of over 350 participating civil society organisations, including Amb. Philip Okwaggbe, Chairman of COCSO; Amadi Chindi of the Initiative for Community Development; Ejiroghene Akporume Ovie of the Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative; Chiamaka Chukwuebuka A. of the Women Centre for Self-Empowerment and Development; Balarabe Muhammadu of the Leadership Centre for Peace Intercity and Transformation Initiative; Idongesit Edidiong Etop of the Youth Enhancement Development Organization; Josiah Josephine Nanbam of the Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Economic Advancement; Funmilayo Eunice Obadare of Global Youths Awareness Development; Nosakhare E. Ehisogie of the Positive Action for Agricultural Produce Initiative; Tamarapreye Ebiowei Godwin of the Advocacy Centre for Professional Ethics Values; Adajinege Orahachi of the Anticorruption Network for Peace Initiative; Chubado Barkindo Demba of the Centre for Agri-Business Support in Nigeria; Abatcha Babakura H. of the Citizen Centre for Positive Change Initiative; Adda Manga Peters of the Initiative for Transformation of the Under-Privileged in Nigeria, alongside representatives of other organisations.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the signatories said they had critically examined the allegations against the Chief of Staff and found them to be without merit.
“We have carefully examined the claims and allegations of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and have seen that he is not saying the truth but wants to intentionally tarnish the image of the Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, without substantive evidence to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The coalition maintained that the allegations were a calculated attempt to whip up public sentiment against the Chief of Staff and damage his reputation.
“We want to state categorically that these claims and allegations by Matthew are baseless. Despite calling sections of the media to brief them and claiming he was being intimidated, such emotions cannot help him because we know he is trying to whip up sentiments to drag the Chief of Staff into the mud with him, and we will not allow that to happen.”
Defending Gbajabiamila’s public service record, the coalition described him as a globally respected statesman and parliamentarian whose tenure as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives was defined by landmark legislative reforms.
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It credited him with leading the restoration of Nigeria’s January-December budget cycle, championing critical economic reforms, and promoting legislation aimed at improving the welfare of students, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The coalition also highlighted several bills associated with the former speaker, including the Students’ Loan Bill, the Physically Challenged (Empowerment) Bill, the Criminalisation of Estimated Billing System Bill, the Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill, and the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill.
It further praised his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting his role in advancing legislative interventions, social protection measures, and welfare initiatives for Nigerians affected by the crisis.
According to the coalition, Gbajabiamila has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to national development, backed by executive education and professional development programs at Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Reaffirming its confidence in the Chief of Staff, the coalition insisted that he could not have sanctioned the establishment of any illegal or unconstitutional institution.
“We unequivocally state that the Chief of Staff cannot be unpatriotic to give a go-ahead to establish a non-existent establishment, which is illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, the lies against him are not to be taken seriously.”
The coalition called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action against Prince Matthew.
“We therefore call for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew because this matter is not to be handled with kid gloves, as the international community is watching Nigeria.”