Otunba Segun Showunmi, convener of The Alternative, has stepped forward to defend Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President. Showunmi expressed concern over the rising trend of public officials being presumed guilty by the public before any formal judicial investigation concludes.
In a recent statement, Showunmi highlighted that the role of the Chief of Staff is inherently discreet and not meant for constant public defense. He argued that the public often misreads a lack of public response as an admission of wrongdoing, whereas it is actually a display of professional discipline. He noted that the position requires balancing personal integrity with the stability of the government.
Regarding the specific allegations directed at Gbajabiamila, Showunmi emphasized that the matter is already under legal review and being examined by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He urged citizens to respect the constitutional mandate of these institutions rather than relying on rumors or social media narratives to determine guilt.
Showunmi warned that the tendency to transform speculation into accepted facts poses a significant risk to the democratic process. He questioned why any official would purposefully invite legal scrutiny, arguing that governance cannot function if every accusation is treated as a final conviction. Ultimately, he called for patience, insisting that evidence and the rule of law must guide public discourse instead of biased assumptions.
