Arewa Think Tank urges President Tinubu to disregard unverified allegations against Femi Gbajabiamila, saying political distractions must not derail governance.
The Arewa Think Tank has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resist what it described as politically motivated attempts to distract his administration through unverified allegations targeting the President’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group made the appeal during a press briefing in Kaduna, where its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, urged the President to remain focused on governance rather than allow speculation and unsubstantiated claims to influence decisions involving senior officials in his administration.
Yakubu’s remarks come amid growing public discussions surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organisation that has recently featured in political conversations following allegations linking it to the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Addressing journalists, the Arewa Think Tank maintained that the controversy should be viewed with caution, insisting that many of the claims circulating in the public domain have not been supported by credible evidence.
According to Yakubu, individuals who enjoy the confidence of the President often become targets of coordinated political attacks whenever they are perceived to be assuming greater responsibilities or playing increasingly influential roles within government.
He argued that such developments are not unusual in Nigeria’s political environment, especially as political calculations ahead of future elections begin to intensify.
“The President should not allow allegations that have not been verified to determine who serves in his administration. Leadership requires careful judgment based on facts rather than rumours or politically inspired narratives,” Yakubu said.
The group warned that allowing unverified reports to shape government decisions could deprive the administration of experienced public officials whose contributions may be important to achieving the government’s objectives.
Yakubu also encouraged Nigerians to exercise greater caution when consuming information, particularly on social media, where unverified reports often spread rapidly before official clarifications are issued.
He stressed that citizens have a responsibility to verify sensitive political claims through reliable and authoritative sources instead of relying on speculation capable of creating unnecessary tension.
To support his position, the Arewa Think Tank recalled previous political controversies involving former Zamfara State Governor and Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
Yakubu noted that similar allegations surfaced during periods when Yari’s name was being mentioned in discussions relating to political strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the timing of such controversies suggests that prominent political figures frequently become subjects of public attacks whenever they are believed to be assuming more strategic national responsibilities.
The organisation therefore urged political stakeholders to avoid using misinformation as a tool for settling political differences or influencing public opinion.
The group further welcomed the official response issued by the Presidency regarding the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
It noted that the clarification provided by the Presidency had addressed many of the questions raised by members of the public and reaffirmed the government’s official position.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that the PFIPC is not a recognised agency or institution under the Federal Government.
The statement also clarified that the Office of the Chief of Staff has no relationship with the organisation and that Gbajabiamila neither approves appointments nor issues official government correspondence on behalf of the body.
The Presidency further dismissed reports suggesting that the Chief of Staff was facing removal from office, describing such claims as false and without any factual basis.
According to Yakubu, the Presidency’s clarification should help reduce misinformation and encourage members of the public to rely on verified information instead of politically motivated speculation.
He said the government’s official position was straightforward and should put an end to assumptions capable of distracting both public officials and citizens from issues of national importance.
Yakubu further appealed to politicians, civil society organisations and political commentators to exercise restraint in their public engagements.
He cautioned against statements capable of undermining confidence in democratic institutions, warning that persistent dissemination of false information could weaken public trust in governance and political leadership.
The Arewa Think Tank maintained that democracy thrives when public debate is driven by facts, transparency and accountability rather than rumours and sensational claims.
It also encouraged media organisations and digital content creators to uphold professional standards by verifying sensitive political information before publication.
According to the group, responsible journalism remains one of the strongest safeguards against misinformation and political manipulation.
While the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council continues to generate discussions across political circles, the Presidency has consistently maintained that the organisation does not form part of the Federal Government structure.
Government officials have also reiterated that Femi Gbajabiamila remains the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.
The Arewa Think Tank concluded that the administration should remain focused on implementing policies aimed at addressing the country’s economic and developmental challenges rather than becoming distracted by controversies it believes are rooted in political interests.
It said Nigerians expect the government to concentrate on delivering good governance, improving the economy and strengthening democratic institutions, adding that political disputes should never be allowed to overshadow national priorities.
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