The Gbaja That I Know By Seun ODOFIN Esq

In recent days, a lot has been said about the controversy surrounding the alleged PFIPC appointment letters, with attempts to drag the name of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, into the matter. While it is right that every issue of public concern should be investigated, it is equally important that such discussions are guided by facts and not assumptions.

Those who have worked within the Federal Government understand that the Office of the Chief of Staff is primarily a coordinating office. Its responsibility is to support the President by coordinating schedules, policy implementation, and communication across government. It is not the office that ordinarily establishes ministries, departments, agencies, or councils, nor is it the office that typically issues formal appointment letters for statutory public offices.

Under Nigeria’s system of government, the creation of a federal agency or council follows a structured and well defined process. A policy proposal is developed and considered by the appropriate authorities. Where necessary, legal approval is obtained through legislation or executive action. Administrative responsibility is then assigned to the relevant ministry or supervising authority. Once approvals are completed, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, working with the appropriate institutions, coordinates the formal administrative documentation.

Given this established process, it would be unusual to conclude that the Office of the Chief of Staff could independently create an agency or issue official appointments without the involvement of the institutions responsible for government administration.

The current controversy should therefore be approached with caution. If individuals forged documents, misrepresented government authority, or obtained documents through deception, those actions must be thoroughly investigated by the appropriate law enforcement agencies. If there were lapses within any government office, such investigations should clearly establish where responsibility lies.

However, beyond these institutional explanations, I feel compelled to speak from personal experience. I have worked directly with the chief of staff for over fifteen uninterrupted years, and I can confidently say that he is a very brilliant lawyer who approaches every matter with the discipline and precision of the law. He is extremely careful in his dealings and has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to due process. He is not a man who would knowingly engage in any unlawful act or questionable arrangement.

It is important not to replace investigation with speculation. Allegations remain allegations until proven by credible evidence or determined by a court of law.

Those who truly know Femi Gbajabiamila understand that he is a public servant who has built his career on legal discipline, integrity, and respect for the rule of law. Like every public official, he is accountable, but that accountability must be grounded in evidence, not assumptions or guilt by association.

If innocent individuals have been unfairly drawn into the matter, they deserve to have their names cleared.

That is the Gbaja that I know, a careful, principled, and law abiding professional whose actions are guided by legal reasoning and integrity, not speculation or misconduct.

Seun ODOFIN Esq