By Henry Umoru
Following the crisis rocking the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, due to budgetary allocation and operations, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Professor Sadiq Gombe, has asked the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to resign immediately.
Answering questions from journalists on Thursday in Abuja after the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting, Gombe aid, “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.
“Gbajabiamila needs to step aside, not just as the chairman of this important committee, but also 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.”
Also speaking on the composition of membership of harmonisation of state policy, the SDP chairman said, “How can the President justify setting up one of the most important committees in the life 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Also speaking on the scandal rocking the PFIPC, the Chairman of SDP State Chairmen and chairman of Lagos SDP, who is also the Lagos State governorship candidate of the party, Femi Olaniyi said, “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.
“I don’t want to talk more about that agency because the case is already in the court of jurisdiction. But I doubt whether we can get anything right with this present dispensation.”
On the forthcoming elections, Olaniyi said, “To our other candidates, the elections are not won only with party ticket. They are won by ward by ward and street by street. You are the face of the SDP in your constituencies. Please start now. Build a team of credible people, focus on real issues, safety in our communities, Cost of living, healthcare access and opportunity for young people.
“A strong National Assembly will be the backbone of the reform we promise in 2027. To my fellow state chairmen, this charge is to you directly. The work begins today, not in 2027. We must organise, reconstitute and strengthen your state, LGA and ward executives. No ghost structure must be allowed.
“Every ward must have a functional SDP office and a visible presence. We need to mobilise for voter registration, PVC collections, and membership drive. We must be aggressive and continuous in every state of the federation.
“Take the SDP to the marketplaces and the streets. However, internal rancour is a luxury that we cannot afford. We ned to settle our differences now and present one SDP in every state. We must start working and encourage fundraising, training for agents, and early community mobilisation activities should start this quarter. Let Nigeria feel the SDP before ballots are printed. The 2027 general election will be a referendum on Nigeria. Don’t disappoint Nigerians. The people are looking up to you.”
