Controversy continues to surround Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila after the presidency attempted to refute claims linking him to an appointment-for-cash scheme. Opposition figures, legal experts, and citizens are now demanding a formal, independent inquiry and calling for his resignation.
This pushback follows a statement from presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, who labeled the accuser, Adeniyi Matthew, a serial fraudster. Onanuga asserted that Matthew had been under investigation by security forces since October 2025 for allegedly forging documents and impersonating government officials to establish a fictitious agency. According to the government, Matthew’s claims that Gbajabiamila demanded billions in kickbacks are baseless.
Despite this rebuttal, many remain unconvinced. Demola Olarenwaju, an aide to Atiku Abubakar, argued that the presidency’s defense actually highlights potential negligence within the Chief of Staff’s office. He suggested that if a fraudster could manipulate government systems so easily, the leadership must be held accountable for either enabling the scheme or failing to perform basic due diligence.
Social media users and legal professionals echoed these sentiments. Critics pointed to the improbability of a fake agency securing budget allocations and office space in the Federal Secretariat without internal collusion. Lawyers like Festus Ogun and Muhammed Adam questioned the transparency of the administration, while various online commenters insisted that an investigation by the EFCC is necessary to determine the truth behind the allegations. Many participants in the debate maintained that the situation signifies a major governance failure, regardless of the Chief of Staff’s direct involvement.
