Jul 13, 2026

Tinubu Aware of Gbajabiamila Selling Appointments, SDP Candidate Alleges

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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**Lagos, Nigeria—**In a pointed escalation of Nigeria’s ongoing governance controversies, Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 elections, has directly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of knowing that his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other inner-circle members are allegedly involved in selling high-level political appointments.

Speaking in a widely circulated interview with Symfoni TV aired on Saturday, July 12, 2026, Adebayo did not mince words: “It’s obvious that Tinubu knows very well and doesn’t mind that people pay money to his principal staff to get appointments and to get access.”

He described the Tinubu administration as a “clearing-and-forwarding government,” a metaphor suggesting it operates more like a transactional brokerage for influence than a transparent executive arm.

Adebayo’s remarks come against the backdrop of the high-profile Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) bribery and forgery scandal.

Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as Director-General of the council, publicly accused Gbajabiamila of demanding and receiving hundreds of millions of naira—including ₦400 million through a proxy and a further ₦200 million demand—in exchange for facilitating appointments.

The Presidency has vehemently denied the claims, labeling Adeyemi and the PFIPC as fictitious.

However, circulating documents reportedly show the agency received budgetary allocations and maintained office space in the Federal Secretariat, adding fuel to public skepticism.

In response to the uproar, President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Gbajabiamila and others linked to the scandal.

Adebayo also leveled sharp criticism at the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, accusing it of abdicating its oversight role and losing independence in the face of executive influence.

This, he argued, enables a culture of impunity where corruption thrives unchecked at the highest levels.

Adewole Adebayo, a consistent voice in Nigeria’s opposition circles and SDP’s flagbearer, has a track record of critiquing the Tinubu administration on issues ranging from economic hardship to procurement irregularities.

His latest intervention taps into widespread public frustration over perceived elite capture, rising insecurity, and economic pressures that many Nigerians attribute to governance failures.

As of the latest reports, President Tinubu’s spokespersons, Bayo Onanuga and Daniel Bwala, have not issued a direct response to Adebayo’s specific claims about awareness of appointment sales.

Social media reactions, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), reflect polarized views.

Supporters of the administration dismiss the allegations as politically motivated opposition rhetoric, while critics see them as confirmation of systemic rot, with some calling for deeper probes and accountability.

This controversy arrives at a sensitive time, with political maneuvering for the 2027 general elections already intensifying.

Allegations of cash-for-appointments erode trust in institutions, potentially dampening investor confidence and complicating efforts to address Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges—from unemployment and inflation to security threats.

Veteran observers note that while such claims require rigorous verification through independent investigations, they underscore a recurring theme in Nigerian politics: the tension between executive power and demands for transparency and ethical leadership.

The ICPC probe’s outcome could prove pivotal in shaping public perception ahead of future polls.

As Nigeria navigates these turbulent waters, the call from figures like Adebayo for stronger legislative oversight and cleaner governance resonates with many citizens yearning for a more accountable democracy.

Whether these allegations lead to substantive reforms or fade into the cycle of political accusations remains to be seen — but they have undeniably amplified the national conversation on integrity at the apex of power.