Emmanuel OchayiPresident Bola Tinubu has stated that everyone makes mistakes as he addressed the controversy surrounding his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, just moments before the commencement of this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Tinubu’s comments came just 48 hours after a report surfaced, suggesting that Gbajabiamila may be embroiled in an integrity crisis due to allegations of manipulating government appointments for personal gain.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe allegations implied that appointments within Tinubu’s administration were being traded to the highest bidder, sparking an outcry among Tinubu’s loyalists who called for Gbajabiamila’s removal from the Presidential Villa.
The report pointed to the replacement of the name of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State as a key example. It alleged that the original appointee’s name was substituted with that of a former commissioner from the previous Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.
Furthermore, the report claimed that the President’s Private Principal Secretary, Akeem Okunola, was taking on some of Gbajabiamila’s responsibilities, hinting at a potential transition.
In response to these allegations, President Tinubu passed a vote of confidence on his Chief of Staff. He emphatically stated, “I have absolute confidence in my Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.”
Tinubu continued, “So, all campaign of calumny, the buck stops here! If I make mistakes, I’ll own up to them. Like everyone in the country, I make mistakes. And when I make mistakes, I iron them out and correct them. Perfection is of God Almighty.”
Tinubu’s candid admission of the potential for mistakes in his administration stands in contrast to the usual political rhetoric. His willingness to address the allegations head-on and express support for his Chief of Staff emphasizes the importance of integrity and accountability in his leadership.
Nigerians will be watching as this controversy unfolds, as the President remains determined to uphold the trust he has reposed on his Chief of Staff, while also recognizing the inevitability of human error.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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