Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Edo State chapter of the Ofurumapepe Movement, popularly known as the Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD) Movement, has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 federal budget.
The call follows President Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC, an agency critics have described as “fake” after it allegedly received a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Addressing journalists in Benin, the Edo State chapter coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi criticized what it described as the Presidency’s delayed response to the controversy, noting that nearly two weeks elapsed before the President publicly ordered an investigation.
Comrade Ogbidi expressed concern over what it termed the Presidency’s “reluctance” and “sluggishness” in responding to the allegations, arguing that the delay had raised questions about the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
According to him, allowing officials named in the controversy to remain in office while investigations are ongoing undermines public confidence in the process.
He specifically alleged that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila is a principal figure in the scandal and insisted that he should immediately proceed on administrative leave or step aside to prevent any possibility of influencing the investigation.
“How will you allow him to remain in a position of authority where he has the capacity to influence the decisions of those investigating a matter concerning him?” the state coordinator of the group asked, arguing that failure to remove him temporarily suggests the administration is not genuinely interested in conducting a credible probe.
He further contended that if the government still wishes to demonstrate integrity and transparency, asking the Chief of Staff to step aside would be the “least honourable” course of action pending the conclusion of the investigation.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of grappling with a growing trust deficit arising from what he described as repeated corruption allegations and an apparent lack of political will to address them decisively.
Describing the controversy as a critical test of the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the coordinator urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the ongoing investigation.
He argued that, given Gbajabiamila’s position as Chief of Staff and his status as one of the President’s closest aides, it would be inappropriate for him to remain in office while allegations linked to the matter are under investigation.
According to him, asking the Chief of Staff to step aside would help ensure a transparent, impartial, and credible investigative process.
