Over 300 CSOs Throw Weight Behind Gbajabiamila, Dismiss Allegations Against Chief of Staff

A coalition of more than 350 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has declared its support for the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, describing allegations made against him by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as “baseless” and “without credible evidence.”

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday following what it described as an emergency meeting, the coalition said it convened the press conference to “set the records straight” over allegations levelled against the Chief of Staff by Prince Matthew, who, according to the coalition, purportedly presented himself as the Director-General of a “non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council.”

The statement was jointly signed by representatives of the participating civil society organisations, including Amb. Philip Okwaggbe, Chairman, COCSO; Amadi Chindi, Initiative for Community Development; Ejiroghene Akporume Ovie, Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative; Chiamaka Chukwuebuka A., Women Centre for Self-Empowerment and Development; Balarabe Muhammadu, Leadership Centre for Peace Intercity and Transformation Initiative; Idongesit Edidiong Etop, Youth Enhancement Development Organization; Josiah Josephine Nanbam, Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Economic Advancement;

Others are Funmilayo Eunice Obadare, Global Youths Awareness Development; Nosakhare E. Ehisogie, Positive Action for Agricultural Produce Initiative; Tamarapreye Ebiowei Godwin, Advocacy Centre for Professional Ethics Values; Adajinege Orahachi, Anticorruption Network for Peace Initiative; Chubado Barkindo Demba, Centre for Agri-Business Support in Nigeria; Abatcha Babakura H., Citizen Centre for Positive Change Initiative; and Adda Manga Peters, Initiative for Transformation of the Under Privileged in Nigeria, alongside other organisations in the coalition.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the signatories said they had carefully examined the allegations and found them to be unsubstantiated.

“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 further alleged that the claims were aimed at whipping up public sentiment against the President’s Chief of Staff.

“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.”

Highlighting Gbajabiamila’s public service record, the coalition described him as a globally respected parliamentarian whose tenure as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives was marked by landmark legislative reforms, including the restoration of Nigeria’s January–December budget cycle, the passage of key economic legislation and initiatives supporting persons with disabilities, students, and vulnerable Nigerians.

The coalition also cited his sponsorship of several notable bills, 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, including legislative interventions, advocacy for social protection, and welfare initiatives.

According to the coalition, Gbajabiamila has consistently demonstrated commitment to public service through leadership, legislative excellence and professional development, including executive education 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 maintained that he could not have authorised the establishment of any illegal or unconstitutional body.

“We unequivocally state that the Chief of Staff can not 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 also called on relevant security agencies to investigate the matter.

“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”