A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an independent forensic investigation into allegations involving his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying the controversy has exposed what it described as serious institutional failures within the Federal Government.
The opposition party also demanded the immediate suspension of all officials linked to the matter pending the outcome of investigations, a comprehensive reorganisation of the Presidency, and a public apology to Nigerians.
The demands followed allegations by Prince Adeniyi Matthew, said to be associated with the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, that Gbajabiamila solicited financial inducements in connection with his appointment. The Presidency has rejected the allegations, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga describing Matthew as an impostor who fraudulently infiltrated government circles.
In a statement on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led PDP said whichever version of events proves correct raises troubling questions about governance.
The party argued that if the Presidency’s account is accurate, it would indicate grave lapses in security and administrative oversight that allowed an impostor to gain access to sensitive government offices, staff, budgetary allocations and interactions with key institutions.
It further contended that if Matthew’s allegations are substantiated, they would point to corruption at the highest levels of government.
The PDP accused the APC-led administration of presiding over a pattern of governance failures, citing what it described as previous controversies, including alleged irregular appointments and other administrative missteps.
It said the Presidency owed Nigerians full accountability rather than explanations, insisting that only an independent investigation would restore public confidence.
The party warned that failure to transparently address the allegations would further erode public trust in government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Presidency has maintained that the allegations against the Chief of Staff are false and has insisted that the individual making the claims fraudulently presented himself as a government official.