Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Social Democratic Party has launched a fierce attack on President Bola Tinubu's decision to appoint his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, insisting that the embattled aide must step aside from both the committee and his position at the Presidency to allow for an independent investigation into the explosive allegations linking him to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The party made its position known on Thursday, 9 July 2026, during its second National Executive Committee meeting held at the party's national secretariat in Abuja, where it condemned the administration's handling of the scandal as a grave threat to public confidence and democratic accountability.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the National Chairman of the SDP, Professor Sadiq Gombe, declared that it was indefensible for a public officer accused of such weighty misconduct to remain in office while investigations are ongoing. "I think if decorum prevails, there are a lot of things that need to be done. There is no way a public officer will be accused of something of this magnitude, and he will still remain glued to his position," Gombe said. He argued that Gbajabiamila's continued occupancy of public office could seriously undermine public trust in the Tinubu administration and send a damaging signal about Nigeria's commitment to the rule of law. "Gbajabiamila needs to step aside, not just as the chairman of this important committee, but also in his position as the chief of staff to the president. He represents one of the greatest institutions, which is the presidency. The right thing to do is for him to step aside for a proper independent probe into the allegation and let them prove beyond reasonable doubt that he is innocent," he added.
The SDP chairman also questioned the President's judgment in appointing Gbajabiamila to lead the committee tasked with drafting the legal framework for the implementation of state police, a sensitive national assignment that requires the highest level of integrity and public confidence. "How can the President justify setting up one of the most important committees in the lives of this administration and nation — state police — and announce the same person accused of this magnitude of offence against the constitution of the land to lead this committee?" Gombe asked. He said the administration must show sensitivity and respect for Nigeria's diversity and democratic principles, especially as the country approaches another election cycle. "I think we need to be decorous. We need to show the world we are really ready for this democracy and ready to lead Nigeria and Africa. But the way we are going, I don't think it is fair to Nigerians. We are a country of about 200 million Nigerians. It won't be about one man," he stated.
Beyond the personal integrity of the Chief of Staff, Gombe also raised serious concerns about the regional composition of the 12-member state police review committee, alleging that nine of its members are drawn from a single region. "I saw the way somebody reeled out the statistics of the 12-member committee for the review of the state police; whereas among the 12 members, no matter what it takes, you have nine members of that committee coming from one part of the country. I don't think it will augur well for us as a nation, especially now that we are approaching elections. People need to be sensitive to our diversity and collective commitments as a nation," he said.
The SDP chairman argued that individuals facing serious allegations should stay away from sensitive public assignments until they are cleared, and that there are many competent Nigerians who can handle such responsibilities. "If people are accused of a crime of this magnitude, they are supposed to lie low. There are many competent Nigerians who can be able to handle these kinds of things. Unless we want the whole world to take us seriously with this kind of attitude," he said, warning that the current approach risks sending a damaging message about Nigeria's commitment to accountability.
The criticisms come just two days after President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to develop the legal framework for the implementation of state police following the Senate's passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026. The President, represented at the inauguration by Gbajabiamila, named his Chief of Staff as chairman of the committee, with the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and representatives of the Nigeria Governors' Forum among its members. The committee is expected to draft the National Policing Bill, which will provide the legal and operational framework for the proposed state police system.
The SDP's latest attack follows weeks of intense controversy over the PFIPC, a body that the Presidency has insisted does not exist, yet was allocated over N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act. The scandal deepened when Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the council, alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded and received bribes in connection with the agency's operations. The Presidency has denied the allegations, and President Tinubu has publicly defended his Chief of Staff, expressing confidence in his integrity and dismissing the claims as a campaign of calumny against one of his closest aides. Earlier this week, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to conduct a "thorough investigation" into the PFIPC controversy, but the SDP argued that the probe would lack credibility unless key suspects, including Gbajabiamila, are first asked to step aside.
Also speaking at the SDP NEC meeting, the Chairman of SDP State Chairmen and Lagos State Chairman of the party, Femi Olaniyi, described the PFIPC controversy as deeply disappointing and criticised the Federal Government's handling of national affairs. "It's something that is so disappointing. It was a big mess to all Nigerians, even to you journalists. Everybody knows what is going on. But in summary, this government of Bola Tinubu have lost track, control, and doesn't even know where to go," Olaniyi said, though he declined to comment further on the PFIPC matter, noting that it is already before the courts. On preparations for the 2027 general elections, he urged SDP candidates and party officials to begin grassroots mobilisation immediately, calling for aggressive membership drives, voter registration campaigns, fundraising, and community engagement.
The SDP's demands have added to a growing chorus of opposition voices calling for Gbajabiamila's suspension. The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights had earlier urged him to step aside, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress and other opposition parties have also demanded his removal. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, however, has defended Gbajabiamila, dismissing the allegations as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the Presidency. As the PFIPC scandal continues to unfold, the SDP's call for Gbajabiamila to step aside highlights the deepening political crisis surrounding the Chief of Staff and the broader questions of accountability and transparency that now hang over the Tinubu administration.
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