Arewa Youths Reject Atiku’s Call to Suspend Gbajabiamila Over Bribery Claims
On July 1, 2026, the Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF) condemned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s call for the suspension of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over an alleged N400 billion bribery scandal. Atiku, through his media aides, had demanded Gbajabiamila’s removal and an independent probe into the accusation. AYIF’s National President, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, labelled Atiku a hypocrite, arguing his own record undermines his moral authority to lecture others on integrity. The forum cited multiple past allegations against Atiku: a Senate probe that recommended his prosecution for allegedly diverting over $145 million from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to firms linked to him; a multi‑year ban from entering the United States due to corruption concerns; reports of over $40 million in suspect funds, including alleged Siemens bribe payments, moved through accounts tied to him and his wife; his implication as the target of a $100,000 bribe attempt in the William Jefferson scandal; audio recordings from a former aide accusing Atiku of using special purpose vehicles to siphon public funds, including N100 million from ecological funds; and references to his NICOTES/INTELS business dealings while in customs service and various Senate indictments. AYIF urged Atiku to first address questions about his own wealth accumulation before criticizing sitting officials. The exchange highlights how corruption allegations are increasingly weaponized in Nigeria’s political arena ahead of the 2027 elections, undermining public trust in both accusers and the accused. For citizens, the takeaway is to scrutinize the credibility of those making corruption claims, seek verification from independent anti‑corruption agencies, and consider the broader pattern of accusations when evaluating political rhetoric ahead of upcoming elections.