In a significant development within the Presidential Villa, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, is facing mounting pressure from Tinubu’s loyalists who are determined to see his removal. Allegations have surfaced indicating that Gbajabiamila may have been engaged in appointing government positions based on financial incentives rather than merit.
Obinwannem news has learned that discontent is growing among Tinubu’s staunch supporters, who are now committed to ensuring Gbajabiamila’s exit from the Presidential Villa. The controversy arises from recent appointments made by President Tinubu, specifically the selection of 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Sources have revealed that, since assuming office, Gbajabiamila allegedly replaced many of the names initially approved by President Tinubu for appointments. One example cited was the replacement of the Ekiti REC’s name with that of a former commissioner from the previous Ekiti state administration, under Governor Kayode Fayemi.
According to an insider, “The REC from Ekiti that he (Gbajabiamila) put there, the man was Fayemi’s former commissioner, that was not the person Asiwaju signed off on. The person Asiwaju signed off on was one Toyin (Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola), the former Legal Adviser of INEC.”
The source further explained, “But when the announcement was made, two members of the President’s cabinet met with him to complain that the person they nominated had been changed with another person. The President was infuriated, he said he checked the name of the woman before he signed the list.”
Consequently, President Tinubu summoned his Chief of Staff and expressed his displeasure, stating that it wasn’t the first time such an incident had occurred. He reportedly warned Gbajabiamila, instructing him to ensure that Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola’s name was included in the list.
It appears that there is a plan underway to remove Gbajabiamila from the Presidential Villa. One source noted, “This is like the 5th time the CoS is embarrassing the President. There is a plan to ease him out of Villa by giving him an ambassadorial position.”
Furthermore, it has been observed that President Tinubu’s Private Principal Secretary, Akeem Okunola, has taken on some of Gbajabiamila’s responsibilities, indicating a shift in power dynamics.
In response to these developments, President Tinubu is reportedly assembling a team that will assist the Chief of Staff. The source emphasized, “The National Social Investments Programme (NSIP) issue too, that wasn’t the person Asiwaju recommended for the position. Halima Sheu was the one recommended by Asiwaju.”
The situation remains fluid, and Gbajabiamila’s future in the Presidential Villa hangs in the balance as the President takes steps to address the growing discontent among his loyalists.
