A socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Youths Movement, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for publicly expressing confidence in his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, amid allegations of misconduct against the latter by people it called mischief makers.
Tinubu had at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday reaffirmed his unwavering faith in his chief of staff (CoS) Gbajabiamila.
This was sequel to earlier allegations of appointment racketeering against the former Speaker of the House of Representatives by some Tinubu’s loyalists.
But, the President cleared the air when he said: “Perfection is that of God almighty. I have absolute confidence in the integrity of my Chief of Staff. All campaigns of calumny and insinuations should stop, the buck stops here.”
Reacting to the developments, the Ohanaeze Youths Movement in a statement by its executive leaders, Nwabueze Obi, Ekwem Eucharia and Ndukaku Chris, said the smear campaign was a conspiracy formulated and sponsored by mischief makers, spreading lies to derail Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda.
They also raised the alarm that this was a plot by some aggrieved insiders in Aso Rock and agents of Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, to allegedly undermine President Tinubu administration by sponsoring smear campaign against his Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila.
The group claimed that Uzodimma and aggrieved persons in the Presidential Villa were the brain behind the campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila, one of Tinubu’s best hands and trusted loyalists.
The Ohaneze Youths alleged that Uzodimma and his cohorts were aggrieved that they did not have their way in getting the vice presidency slot and also angry his choice wasn’t chosen by the party to be the speaker and deputy speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The statement reads: “Mischief makers are at it again with their baseless plots to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration by sponsoring smear campaign against his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Reports of growing outcry among Tinubu’s loyalists who are resolute in removing Gbajabiamila from the Presidential Villa is a total lie fabricated by Uzodimma and aggrieved traitors in Aso Rock.
“Gbajabiamila has been one of Tinubu’s loyalists for decades, he’s great at what he does, his career trajectory has shown competence and professionalism. He’s also compassionate leader who cares about the people. Reports suggesting cases where names initially approved by the President for appointments were allegedly swapped by the Chief of Staff are lies.
“Uzodimma and his cohorts are aggrieved that they didn’t have their way in getting the vice presidency slot. He’s also aggrieved his choice wasn’t chosen by the party to be the speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Now he’s doing everything he can including spearheading smear campaign against perceived political enemies.
“We at the Ohanaeze Youths Movement are urging the Chief of Staff to ignore charlatans and focus on the good job he already started and continue supporting Mr president in achieving his renewed hope agenda for Nigerians.”
While lauding Tinubu’s resolve on the issue, the group said: “Mr President has cleared their doubt by expressing his deep confidence in his Chief of Staff, describing him as a man of proven integrity.
“As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared, all campaigns of calumny and insinuations should stop, hence we call on the mischief makers and detectors to own up to their actions and come out and apologise and retrace their steps.
“They have failed with their plans and the only thing left for them is join efforts with the Chief of Staff who is an abitrator and settle whatever issues exist in the figment of their imaginations for the success of the present administration.
“As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them. So, they are invited to join the Chief of Staff in helping the President to achieve his mandate as their evil plans will always be dead on arrival (DOA).”
