The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to remove the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations that are yet to be proven, emphasizing the need to uphold due process and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the student body said it had closely monitored the controversy involving Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
According to NANS, calls by some individuals and groups for the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila are premature and inconsistent with the principles of justice and fairness, stressing that allegations alone should not be used to condemn a public official.
“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 association stated.
NANS maintained that the fight against corruption must be pursued within the framework of constitutional safeguards, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty through a credible and lawful process.
The association argued that if the calls for Gbajabiamila’s removal are not politically motivated, those making such demands should equally respect the constitutional principle that every citizen deserves a fair hearing before judgment is passed.
NANS also referenced the Presidency’s position that the PFIPC is not a recognised agency of the Federal Government and that Adeyemi was not acting on behalf of any legitimate government institution. The student body noted that criminal proceedings had already been initiated against him, underscoring the importance of allowing law enforcement agencies to complete their investigations without interference.
“These developments reinforce the need for restraint and affirm the importance of allowing the appropriate authorities to determine the facts through lawful processes,” the statement said.
The association urged Nigerians to avoid rushing to conclusions and instead allow an independent and impartial investigation to establish the facts surrounding the matter.
Defending Gbajabiamila’s public service record, NANS recalled his contributions as Speaker of the House of Representatives, particularly his involvement in engagements that helped resolve the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in 2022 and facilitated the resumption of academic activities across public universities.
According to the association, Gbajabiamila’s years of service to democratic governance, education, and youth development should not be overshadowed by allegations that have yet to be substantiated.
“We support every lawful effort aimed at uncovering the truth, but we equally reject trial by media, political witch-hunts, or attempts to undermine public institutions through allegations that have not been subjected to due process,” NANS stated.
The student body further alleged that concerns had previously been raised about Adeyemi’s past dealings with several organisations and argued that his claims against the Chief of Staff should not be treated as established facts until investigations are concluded and the relevant authorities reach their findings.
NANS Urges Tinubu Not to Remove Gbajabiamila Over Unproven Allegations<br>
