Tinubu expresses implicit confidence in CoS Gbajabiamila
…Warns critics to stop negative campaigns against Gbajabiamila
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, expressed confidence in the integrity of his Chief of Staff (CoS) Femi Gbajabiamila, adding that said all campaigns of calumny and insinuations against his CoS should stop.
The President, who spoke shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, also set the ground rules for the attendance of the meeting.
Gbajabiamila was the Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023 and had won his re-election into the House for the sixth consecutive term to represent the Surulere 1 Federal Constituency during the February 25 National Assembly election before his appointment as Chief of Staff to the President mid-2023.
The President spoke to issues he had observed and had not been comfortable with, including unauthorised persons gaining access into the Council Chambers of the State House.
His words: “First of all, let me reiterate to all of you the fact that a lot of stories are going around about what is happening. I’ve told everyone in this country that I can make mistakes, they’re bound to air them out and correct them.
“Perfection is that of God almighty. I have absolute confidence on the integrity of my Chief of Staff. All campaigns of calumny and insinuations should stop, the buck stops here.
“If I make mistake I’m ready to own up to it and we’re all joining hands to fight corruption and we want to enforce the law along with you”.
Meanwhile, the FEC observed a minute silence in honour of a former member of Council and one-time Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Adamu Fika, who died last week at the age of 90.
The Council meeting is in progress with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr (Mrs) Folasade Yemi-Esan; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and almost all the ministers, in attendance.