The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to dismiss his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations that have not been proven.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the student body said it had been following the controversy involving Gbajabiamila and Adeniyi Adeyemi.
NANS described calls for the Chief of Staff’s immediate removal as premature, arguing that allegations alone should not be used to condemn a public official.
“We respectfully urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a loyal and dedicated public servant to be sacrificed on the altar of unsubstantiated accusations before the truth is established,” the association said.
The group stressed that the fight against corruption must be conducted within the bounds of justice, fairness and constitutional protections, including the presumption of innocence.
“If these calls are not politically motivated or driven by vested interests, then those making them should equally respect the constitutional principle that every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty through a transparent, credible and lawful process,” NANS stated.
NANS also referenced the Presidency’s position that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not a recognised federal government agency and that Adeyemi was not acting on behalf of any legitimate government institution. It noted that criminal charges had already been filed against him, adding that law enforcement agencies should be allowed to complete their investigations.
“These developments reinforce the need for restraint and affirm the importance of allowing the appropriate authorities to determine the facts through lawful processes,” the statement added.
The association urged Nigerians to avoid rushing to judgment and instead support an independent and impartial investigation into the matter.
Defending Gbajabiamila’s public service record, NANS recalled his role as Speaker of the House of Representatives in efforts that contributed to resolving the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities strike in 2022 and restoring academic activities.
According to the student body, his years of service to democratic governance, education and youth development should not be overshadowed by allegations that remain unproven.
“We support every lawful effort aimed at uncovering the truth, but we equally reject trial by media, political witch-hunts, or attempts to undermine public institutions through allegations that have not been subjected to due process,” NANS said.
The group further claimed that concerns had previously been raised about Adeyemi’s past dealings with several organisations, insisting that his allegations against the Chief of Staff should not be treated as established facts until investigations are concluded.
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