The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on security agencies to investigate the corruption allegations leveled against the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Abbas made the call on Thursday while addressing a press conference on the state of the nation. He said the allegations were unfounded and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Gbajabiamila, who is a close ally of the president.

A case of character assassination

Gbajabiamila has been accused of being involved in a graft scandal involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. According to the allegations, Gbajabiamila received kickbacks from Edu for awarding contracts to his cronies and inflating the cost of relief materials for internally displaced persons.

Abbas dismissed the allegations as false and malicious, saying they were part of a plot to undermine the integrity of the presidency and the ruling party. He said Gbajabiamila had voluntarily offered to cooperate with the security agencies to clear his name and expose the sponsors of the smear campaign.

“Those of us who have worked with him for over a decade can attest to his patriotism and integrity. His willingness to voluntarily subject himself to an investigation by all security and law enforcement agencies demonstrates his rectitude and honor,” Abbas said.

He urged the security agencies to work diligently and swiftly to investigate the matter and inform Nigerians of their findings. He also warned that if Gbajabiamila was not found guilty, the perpetrators of the character assassination should be brought to justice.

A test of democracy

Abbas also expressed concern about the rise of fake news and misinformation on social media, saying they posed a threat to the nation’s democracy and unity. He said some unscrupulous elements were using the platforms to spread lies and incite hatred among Nigerians.

Also, he appealed to Nigerians to be wary of such sources and verify any information before sharing or acting on it. He also called for more civic education and media literacy to combat the menace of fake news and hate speech.

He said the House of Representatives was committed to enacting laws and policies that would promote good governance, accountability, and the welfare of Nigerians. Moreover, he stated that the lawmakers would continue to work with the executive and the judiciary to ensure the stability and progress of the country.

Finally, he expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges and emerge stronger and more prosperous. He urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and united and support the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity, corruption, and poverty.

Source: Punch