Leaked N3bn Approval Memo, Plot to Link Gbajabiamila to Humanitarian Ministry Controversy

The leaked memo conveying the approval of expenditure of N3billion Covid 19 palliative fund for verification of the National Social Register has been described as a plot to link Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of staff to President Tinubu, to the raging controversy over funds disbursement by the suspended Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, by hawks within and outside the State House.

The plot, sources clamed, is targeted at the job of the President’s chief of staff, and involves the use of social media to malign his integrity and bring the office of chief of staff to disrepute, so that he could be relinquished of his appointment.

A leaked memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of Chief of Staff to the President had conveyed the approval of President Bola Tinubu for the expenditure of N3bn from the COVID-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National Social Register.

The memo had sparked outrage among some Nigerians on social media.

A spokesman of the President, Bayo Onanuga, had however confirmed that the N3 billion was approved by the President and the President’s approval merely conveyed by Gbajabiamila.

Another presidential aide however raised the alarm that more of such memos would continue to fly around in the coming days, with Gbajabiamila as target.

The presidential aide who pleaded anonimity, said, “The Chief of staff did not convey his own personal approval. He conveyed approval of his boss, it’s the practice with Abba Kyari and others, the Chief of Staff conveys approval or otherwise of the President to Cabinet members and institutions that might have requested one or two things from the President. The current Chief of Staff has not faced 20 per cent of attacks one of his predecessors, Abba Kyari, got over wrong allegations. President Tinubu’s verdict on his Chief of Staff’s integrity is known to the public.”

The aide further said, “The latest memo that came out was just an attempt by some persons within and outside the Villa to tie Gbajabiamila to the Betta Edu investigation. Thankfully, one of the official spokesmen of the President Mr. Bayo Onanuga has clarified that indeed, the N3 billion was approved by the President himself and not by Gbajabiamila.

“For the sake of clarity, it is not out of place for the President via his chief of staff to raise a memo to approve N3 billion for verification of 11 million people inherited from the social register of the last administration based on official request from the minister. N3 billion divided by 11 million means each person was verified at about N273 only. So the media trial of the President and his Chief of Staff is of no effect 

“It is left for the humanitarian affairs ministry to prove the exercise was indeed conducted. However, the intention of those who released the memo was to soil Gbajabiamila’s name. The President will rely solely on the outcome of the investigation team he already set up on the Humanitarian ministry.”

Gbajabiamila had also faced virulent media attacks last year, prompting President Tinubu to express absolute confidence in his integrity.

Tinubu had said in October 2023 that: “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.”