PFIPC: Don’t Convict Gbajabiamila Before Probe Ends – Showunmi Tells Nigerians

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State and Convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, has urged Nigerians to refrain from passing judgment on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Naija News reports that Showunmi said the allegations should be subjected to investigation and judicial scrutiny rather than being decided in the court of public opinion.

He made the appeal in a statement titled, “The Burden of the Chief of Staff: Why Silence Is Often Mistaken for Guilt.”

The PDP chieftain’s intervention comes amid allegations by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed he was appointed Director-General of the purported council via a letter purportedly issued by Gbajabiamila.

The Chief of Staff has denied the allegation and, through his lawyer, has threatened to file a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi.

Gbajabiamila also demanded a retraction of the claims, a public apology in at least five national newspapers and the removal of the disputed publications from social media and other platforms.

Showunmi urged Nigerians to resist what he described as the growing tendency to rely on rumours and assumptions instead of allowing the justice system to determine the facts.

According to him, allegations should be investigated by the appropriate institutions, while disputes should be resolved by the courts.

Showunmi said, “When allegations arise, institutions must investigate. When disputes emerge, courts must adjudicate. When facts are contested, evidence must prevail.

“What should not happen is for citizens to pronounce final judgment before the institutions of justice have completed their work.”

He warned that the increasing trend of trying public officials on social media and other public platforms undermined the principles of justice.

“The rush to convict in the court of public opinion has become one of the most troubling features of our national discourse. An allegation surfaces and many immediately assume guilt,” Showunmi added.

‘Not Every Allegation Is True’

The former governorship aspirant said Nigerians had developed a culture of condemning individuals before facts were established, noting that holders of high public office often became easy targets of suspicion.

He urged citizens to approach allegations with caution and avoid accepting every narrative without verification.

“This is why citizens must cultivate greater caution before accepting every allegation that circulates in the public space. Not every accusation is true. Not every narrative is factual. Not every criticism is motivated by patriotism. And not every silence is an admission,” he said.

Showunmi acknowledged that Gbajabiamila’s public service record should remain open to scrutiny but insisted that such examination must be based on evidence and fairness.

He noted that the Chief of Staff’s years in the National Assembly, his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives and his current role in the Presidency were all legitimate subjects for public assessment.

“Femi Gbajabiamila’s long public career offers ample material upon which fair judgment can be based. His years in the National Assembly, his leadership as Speaker, and now his service as Chief of Staff are all open to public examination. That examination should be rigorous. But it should also be fair,” he said.

The PDP chieftain cautioned against allowing speculation to replace verified facts.

“A narrative gains momentum, and suddenly speculation becomes accepted fact. Those who insist on due process are then accused of defending wrongdoing when, in reality, they are defending the very foundation of civilised society,” he added.