By Kayode Araba
As the scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and social programs under it, continues to generate public discourse; a formidable anti-corruption group in northern Nigeria, has warned against unnecessary commentaries against the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Thus, the group warned that such “unholy dragging” and “illicit media trial” of Hon. Gbajabiamila over the alleged approval of N3bn for the Humanitarian Ministry to prosecute its social mandate, was unnecessary and capable of distracting the smooth operations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
Therefore, Arewa Citizens said these on Wednesday and signed by Comrade Hussein Babangida, its National President, passed a vote of confidence on Gbajabiamila, saying, “we in the north are happy with the level of support he has provided to Mr. President and the dexterity with which he has carried out his functions as the Chief of Staff to Mr. President which has translated maximally to the good of the generality of the Nigeria’s citizenry.
The group said in a space of one week, the EFCC has not only quizzed the suspended Minister, they also invited the immediate past Minister; top Directors; other officials of the Ministry and Accountant-General of the Federation. If they feel that RT. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila needs to answer questions to clarify some things or memo, they would surely invite him. You cannot lose elections and be going behind to instigate faceless groups to be dragging a Man who is the engine house of the inner cabinet of Mr. President, where vital decisions and policies of this administration are formulated, for the betterment of us all”.
The Arewa anti-corruption group also advised those who are in that train to pay solid attention to the testimonies of some officials of the Humanitarian Ministry, whereby, they asserted that the suspended Minister, Dr. Betta Edu followed due process and did not violate the modern administrative procedures in transferring fund meant for a project to an assistant director’s account for execution.
While urging President Tinubu not to be “distracted by the antics of sore election losers”, the group pledged its total support for Gbajabiamila to continue carrying out his constitutionally guaranteed duties, pledging loyalty also, to the APC-led Federal Government therefore accounting to the report, there was a leaked memo where the Minister had requested approval, which the Chief of Staff granted on behalf of President Tinubu.
