Proposal to Kick Femi Gbajabiamila to Ambassadorial Role Over 10 Controversial Appointments

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, finds himself embroiled in a brewing storm as explosive allegations have emerged, implicating him in the sale of key appointments within the government. This scandal has led to mounting pressure on President Tinubu, with loyalists demanding Gbajabiamila’s removal from the Presidential Villa.

Reports reaching Opitan Global Media correspondence desk strongly suggest that a mounting chorus of disapproval is resonating among President Tinubu’s staunch supporters, who remain resolute in their determination to uphold a certain set of principles, expectations and determined to ensure that Femi Gbajabiamila is ousted from his influential position in the President’s inner circle.

The allegations stem from a series of controversial appointment changes made under Femi Gbajabiamila’s tenure.

Controversy Surrounds Presidential Appointments Made Under Femi Gbajabiamila

The controversy centers around the appointment of 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Since President Tinubu assumed office, it is alleged that many of the names approved by the President for these appointments were surreptitiously replaced by Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila.

A credible insider shared a specific incident that has raised eyebrows, involving the substitution of the Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)’s name with that of a former commissioner from the prior Ekiti state government, Kayode Fayemi. This unexpected alteration has sparked concerns, particularly as it diverged from the initial choice endorsed by President Tinubu, which was Oluwatoyin Babalola, the former Legal Adviser of INEC.

President’s Wrath and Plans for Gbajabiamila’s Ouster

The source revealed that the President was incensed when he discovered the recurrent pattern of appointments being tampered with after his approval. In a recent meeting, the President confronted his Chief of Staff and gave him a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the approved lists. The President insisted that Oluwatoyin Babalola’s name must be reinstated.

The situation has reached a level of intensity where there are compelling reports of a meticulously devised strategy aimed at relocating Gbajabiamila from the Presidential Villa. Speculation is rife that a potential solution being considered involves extending an ambassadorial appointment to him as a discreet means of gradually disengaging him from the inner sanctum of power and influence.

Alternative Solutions and Reshuffling of Responsibilities

In light of the recurring episodes of embarrassment stemming from the Chief of Staff’s actions, President Tinubu appears to be actively considering alternative strategies to safeguard the seamless operation of his administration. There are reports suggesting that Akeem Okunola, who holds the esteemed position of President’s Private Principal Secretary (PPS), has begun assuming a portion of the duties traditionally shouldered by the Chief of Staff.

Moreover, there are reports indicating that the President is in the process of assembling a dedicated team, aimed at diminishing his dependence on the Chief of Staff. This newly formed group is anticipated to play a pivotal role in ameliorating the recurrent episodes of controversy and to guarantee the unwavering execution of the President’s mandates and policies.

Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of a deeply entrenched political upheaval, President Tinubu’s administration stands at a pivotal crossroads, tasked with the delicate and intricate challenge of harmonizing the imperative of internal unity with the relentless call for transparency and responsibility at the loftiest tiers of government. The unfolding series of events is vigilantly monitored and scrutinized not only by astute political pundits but also by a riveted and expectant public, for they carry the profound capacity to mold the trajectory of the administration and profoundly influence its forthcoming policy decisions and course of action.