***Says President’s Chief of Staff is Target of Political Smear Campaign

The Democratic Initiative Network (DIN) has come out strongly in defence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, accusing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing journalists on Friday, the group’s Director of Communications, Dr. Edwin Osuagwu, described recent calls by Atiku for Gbajabiamila’s removal as “misplaced and reckless,” insisting that the allegations against the presidential aide ignored ongoing court proceedings and investigations into the matter.
He argued that it was surprising that a statesman of Atiku’s standing would make such allegations without first establishing the facts, stressing that the Chief of Staff had no involvement in the issues surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any alleged deregistration of the party.

According to DIN, available evidence suggests that the Office of the Chief of Staff was not implicated in the alleged wrongdoing but was the office that referred the matter to the appropriate security agencies for investigation.
“The Office of the Chief of Staff was not the source of the alleged wrongdoing. It was the office that reported the matter for investigation. That distinction is critical and should not be deliberately ignored,” Osuagwu said.

The organisation also alleged that some APC aspirants who lost out during the party’s internal electoral process had joined what it described as a coordinated attempt to scapegoat Gbajabiamila for their political misfortunes.
It maintained that although the Chief of Staff served as chairman of the APC Supervisory Committee for National Assembly elections, the responsibility for selecting candidates rested with the party’s leadership and constitutional organs, not with any individual.

DIN urged politicians to refrain from weaponising unverified allegations for partisan advantage, warning that Nigeria’s democracy should be driven by facts, due process and the rule of law rather than misinformation and character assassination.
The group commended Gbajabiamila for what it described as an outstanding record in public service, citing his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, his contributions to democratic governance and his mentorship of young Nigerians.

It further called on security agencies to conclude their investigations and ensure that anyone found culpable of criminal defamation or acts capable of breaching public peace is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming its support for the Chief of Staff, DIN urged those behind what it termed coordinated attacks to abandon politics of mudslinging and engage instead in constructive national discourse.