Step Aside!’ — Gombe Makes Explosive Demand Over Gbajabiamila’s Role In PFIPC Row

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has called on the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step down over the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gombe made the call on Thursday while speaking with journalists after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

According to him, Gbajabiamila should temporarily vacate his position to allow for what he described as an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations linked to the PFIPC controversy.

The SDP chairman argued that public officials facing serious allegations should not remain in office while investigations are ongoing.

“If decorum prevails, there are certain things that should be done. A public officer accused of allegations of this magnitude should not remain in office. Gbajabiamila should step aside, not only as chairman of this important committee but also as Chief of Staff to the President. He represents one of the country’s most important institutions, the Presidency. The proper thing is for him to step aside and allow an independent investigation to establish the facts,” Gombe said.

He also questioned the decision to appoint Gbajabiamila to head the committee on state police despite the controversy surrounding the PFIPC.

According to Gombe, the government should exercise greater caution when assigning sensitive national responsibilities to public officials facing public scrutiny.

He further criticised the composition of the 12-member state police review committee, alleging that it lacked adequate regional balance.

Gombe argued that appointments to key national committees should reflect Nigeria’s diversity, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.

“We must demonstrate that we are committed to democracy and national unity. Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people, and no important institution should appear to revolve around one individual. People must be sensitive to our diversity and collective interests,” he said.

The SDP chairman maintained that there are many qualified Nigerians capable of leading important national assignments and insisted that individuals facing serious allegations should avoid occupying such positions until the issues are resolved.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the SDP State Chairmen Forum and Lagos State Chairman of the party, Femi Olaniyi, described the PFIPC controversy as unfortunate and said it had negatively affected Nigeria’s image.

While declining to comment extensively because the matter is before the courts, Olaniyi criticised the Tinubu administration, alleging that it had lost direction.

Turning to preparations for the 2027 general elections, Olaniyi urged SDP candidates and party leaders across the states to intensify grassroots mobilisation.

He encouraged them to strengthen party structures at the ward, local government and state levels while focusing their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians, including insecurity, the rising cost of living, healthcare, youth empowerment and economic opportunities.

Olaniyi also called for increased voter registration drives, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, membership recruitment, fundraising, agent training and early community engagement.

He urged party members to put aside internal disagreements and present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that a stronger National Assembly would be essential to delivering the reforms the SDP hopes to implement if elected.