Political activist, Timi Frank, has called on the United States to probe the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He made the demand in a statement on Tuesday, in response to a recent remark by Gbajabiamila urging a lawmaker, Leke Abejide, to scatter the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during Abejide’s wife’s birthday celebration, Gbajabiamila had said, “Don’t come to APC. Stay in ADC and scatter them. We like what you’re doing… stay in ADC and win your election… bring Bala Gombe, and we’ll support him. Good luck in court.”
Reacting, Frank warned that such a statement could undermine Nigeria’s democracy and called for the Chief of Staff’s resignation.
“We call for your resignation with immediate effect. If such a statement were made in the United States, the official involved would have resigned forthwith,” he said.
Describing the remarks as “reckless” and dangerous, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said they suggested a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties and erode democratic institutions.
“Your statement, as Chief of Staff, raises serious concerns about the determination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime to truncate democracy,” he said, adding that “inference can be made that there is an infringement on the independence of the judiciary.”
He warned that any suggestion that courts could be influenced “undermines public confidence in democratic institutions,” noting that references to political actors such as Leke Abejide required clarification to avoid “dangerous interpretations.”
Frank further argued that Gbajabiamila’s comments pointed to the alleged Presidency’s involvement in crises affecting opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“When a Chief of Staff speaks, it reflects the body language of the President. This points to a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition and consolidate power,” he said.
He also alleged that state influence, including the use of the judiciary, was being deployed against opposition parties.
“The audacity of the statement suggests nothing will happen even if opposition parties are destabilised. That is dangerous,” Frank added.
Frank described Gbajabiamila as “an alter ego of the President” who has “displayed the arrogance of power,” insisting that public office holders must exercise restraint and respect the rule of law and constitutional order.
He further urged U.S. authorities to investigate Gbajabiamila’s activities and financial dealings.
“As an American citizen, he should be held accountable. We want to know if he is meeting his tax obligations in line with his earnings in Nigeria,” he said, describing him as “a bad ambassador of the United States
“We want to be sure that all earnings, including those from official and business engagements in Nigeria, are properly declared and taxed,” he added.