Northern Group Backs Gbajabiamila, Rejects Calls for Suspension

Northern Group Backs Gbajabiamila, Rejects Calls for Suspension

A northern socio-political organisation, the Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM), has declared its support for the Chief of Staff to the President, , rejecting calls for his suspension over allegations of bribery as politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.

The group's position was contained in a statement signed by its National President, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, Sarkin Yakin Kanya Babba, in response to recent demands by opposition figures for the suspension of the presidential aide pending investigations into the allegations.

According to the statement, NSNCM described Gbajabiamila as a public servant with a long record of legislative and public service, insisting that he should not be subjected to punitive measures on the basis of allegations that have yet to be established through due process.

The organisation maintained that democratic institutions should be allowed to investigate any claims objectively, warning against what it described as attempts to politicise unproven allegations.

"We reaffirm our unwavering support for the Chief of Staff. We believe that every public official is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. Calls for suspension without conclusive evidence undermine the principles of fairness and justice," the statement read.

The group further urged political leaders and stakeholders to refrain from actions or statements capable of deepening political divisions or distracting the administration from governance.

It also appealed to Nigerians to remain peaceful and allow relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities where necessary.

The intervention comes amid ongoing political debate over allegations involving the office of the Chief of Staff, with some opposition figures demanding greater accountability while supporters argue that any action should be guided by credible evidence and the rule of law.

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the , has reportedly called for Gbajabiamila's suspension pending investigations into the allegations.

However, as of the time of filing this report, no court of competent jurisdiction or publicly available findings by any relevant investigative agency have established wrongdoing against the Chief of Staff.

NSNCM concluded by urging Nigerians to uphold national unity, peace and respect for the rule of law, stressing that matters involving public accountability should be handled in accordance with constitutional procedures rather than public speculation.