Political Analyst Criticises Atiku Over Call for Gbajabiamila's Removal, Urges Evidence-Based Opposition Politics
A political analyst, Abubakar Tijani-Ahmed, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for calling for the removal of Presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila over allegations linked to a self-described former government appointee, arguing that such demands should be based on verified evidence rather than unproven claims.
Political analyst Abubakar Tijani-Ahmed has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's call for the removal of Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, describing the move as premature and inconsistent with the principles of responsible opposition politics.
In a statement titled "Atiku, Gbajabiamila and Hollow Opposition," Tijani-Ahmed argued that democratic opposition should focus on scrutinising government actions through facts, evidence and policy alternatives rather than relying on allegations that have yet to be substantiated.
He maintained that Atiku, as a former vice president and multiple-time presidential candidate, should have called for a thorough investigation instead of demanding Gbajabiamila's removal over allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi.
According to the analyst, the controversy surrounding Adeyemi's claims remains unresolved because no documentary evidence has been presented to support his assertion that he held a government appointment.
He argued that government appointments are formal administrative processes backed by official records and appointment letters, insisting that anyone claiming to have occupied such a position should be able to provide documentary proof.
Tijani-Ahmed said the burden of proof rests with the accuser, warning against what he described as a growing tendency in Nigerian politics to treat allegations as established facts before investigations are concluded.
He contended that reversing this principle encourages "mob justice," damages reputations and undermines democratic values, noting that Atiku himself has previously argued that allegations against public officials should be supported by evidence and due process.
The analyst also questioned the basis for linking Gbajabiamila to any alleged wrongdoing, saying no credible evidence or official investigation has established culpability on the part of the Chief of Staff.
He expressed concern that sections of the opposition increasingly exploit trending controversies for political advantage instead of building evidence-based cases, warning that such an approach could erode public confidence in opposition politics.
Tijani-Ahmed further argued that, given Atiku's status as a former vice president and elder statesman, he should have advocated transparency and independent investigations rather than demanding the dismissal of a senior government official.
While acknowledging that public officials must remain accountable, he stressed that accountability must be anchored on verifiable facts, documentary evidence and due process.
He added that opposition parties have a constitutional role in strengthening democracy but said they must uphold higher standards by ensuring that criticisms of government officials are supported by credible evidence.
According to Tijani-Ahmed, the debate extends beyond Gbajabiamila, raising broader questions about whether Nigeria's democratic discourse will continue to be guided by facts, fairness and due process or by political expediency and unverified allegations.
He concluded that demands for the removal of public officials should only follow the establishment of credible evidence, arguing that anything less weakens both democratic accountability and public trust.
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