Why Eze Chikamnayo’s Call For Gbajabiamila To Step Down Is A Dangerous Assault On Due Process, By Kenneth Uzoigwe

The recent call by Eze Chikamnayo, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to “temporarily vacate office” over the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) controversy is a classic example of political opportunism masquerading as a demand for accountability. While Chikamnayo carefully couched his argument in the language of transparency, claiming he is “not saying Gbajabiamila is guilty,” his proposition represents a dangerous trap that threatens to paralyze governance and institutionalize blackmailer’s veto in Nigerian politics.

To ask the engine room of the Presidency to step aside based on completely unproven, external allegations is not only a misapplication of administrative precedent, but it is also an open invitation to institutional chaos.

The Fiction of a Non-Existent Entity

Chikamnayo’s argument collapses on its very foundation because it assumes there is a legitimate institutional scandal to investigate. Security agencies have already established that the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) is a complete fiction. It does not exist within the organogram of the Tinubu administration, and no such council was ever established.

How do you suspend a high-ranking public official to investigate his involvement in an agency that legally and physically does not exist? This is not a case of a minister mismanaging public funds within an existing ministry; it is a case of external identity theft. To suspend a Chief of Staff over a phantom entity is to validate the delusion of fraudsters.

Weaponizing Forgery and Institutionalizing Chaos

If the Presidency adopts Chikamnayo’s logic, it will effectively create a blueprint for political saboteurs to paralyze the government. Under this flawed doctrine, all an opposition group or a blackmailer needs to do to remove any top government official—be it the Chief of Staff, a Minister, or a Security Chief—is to forge a document, invent a fake council, tie the official’s name to it, and demand a “temporary suspension.”

If every unverified accusation triggers a resignation or suspension, governance will grind to a halt. We cannot run a nuclear nation on the whims of malicious rumors and media trials. Rewarding fabrications by forcing officials out of office does not protect the integrity of governance; it surrenders it to criminals.

A Flawed Comparison of Precedents

Chikamnayo eagerly cited previous suspensions by President Tinubu to justify his demand. However, this comparison is legally and logically flawed. Previous suspensions, such as that of the former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, were triggered by internal financial audits, established bank trails, and verifiable transactions within existing government structures.

In Gbajabiamila’s case, the state is the prosecutor, not the investigator of the official. The federal government has already arraigned the accuser, Adeniyi Adeyemi, before a Federal High Court on criminal charges of forgery, criminal conspiracy, and impersonation. It is a legal absurdity to demand the suspension of the victim and key witness of a forgery ring just because the fraudster threw mud at the wall hoping it would stick.

Presumption of Innocence is Not Optional

Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the presumption of innocence. While public office demands high ethical standards, it should not demand the forfeiture of constitutional rights. Forcing an official to step aside under these circumstances is a punitive measure dressed up as administrative protocol. It inflicts immediate political and reputational damage before a single shred of credible evidence is presented in a court of law.

Conclusion

Eze Chikamnayo’s demand may sound noble to the undiscerning ear, but it is a prescription for anarchy. True justice and accountability are rooted in due process, verified facts, and the rule of law—not the noise of politically motivated commentary. Femi Gbajabiamila should remain in his seat and focus on his national duties while the Federal High Court handles the criminal prosecution of the fraudsters behind this elaborate hoax. To do otherwise is to let the blackmailers win.

High Chief Kenneth Uzoigwe. President South East/South South Heritage Foundation. A social political group that seek to advocate good governance and development of non- indigene in Nigeria sent this piece