NDC demands Gbajabiamila suspension over alleged appointment scandal, Tanimola’s death

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has demanded the immediate removal of Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, to allow for an unbiased investigation into an escalating scandal involving alleged illegal public appointments, financial irregularities, and the mysterious death of a key intermediary.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary on Thursday, the opposition group urged the presidency to constitute an independent investigative panel to examine the operations of the alleged Presidential Finance and Investment Promotion Committee, including its budgetary allocations, account openings, and staff approvals.

The group stated that the continued stay in office of Femi Gbajabiamila constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe.

The controversy has taken a severe turn following revelations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly served as the intermediary between the Chief of Staff and Prince Adeyemi.

According to the group, Babatunde Tanimola died in a fire accident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Police received a petition from the Chief of Staff.

The development has been linked to alarms raised by Prince Adeyemi over multiple assassination attempts on his life, including a brazen attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025, prompting the opposition to demand immediate witness protection privileges for him.

To ensure proper accountability, the group stated that the Chief of Staff must be compelled to produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic analysis, while officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General, and the Head of Civil Service should be questioned.

The statement further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force to commence a full-scale investigation without fear or favor.

Warning the federal government against using defensive press releases as a deflective ploy, the group emphasized that the public deserves total transparency.

“The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end,” the statement read. “Anyone found culpable in this sordid affair, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

The Presidency has yet to issue an official response to the allegations and demands raised by the opposition group.