- Photo; Femi Gbajabiamila
By Daniel Kanu
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called on the United States government to investigate and possibly impose sanctions on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over remarks he described as inimical to Nigeria’s democratic process.
Frank’s call follows a viral video in which Gbajabiamila was seen addressing a political gathering and allegedly urging a lawmaker, identified as Abejide, to remain within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and destabilise the party from within.
The comment has since sparked widespread reactions across political circles, with critics accusing the presidency of promoting actions that could undermine opposition parties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Frank argued that such remarks, if left unchecked, could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and encourage anti-democratic practices. He maintained that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected from actions capable of weakening political pluralism and credible opposition.
According to him, the alleged suggestion to infiltrate and destabilise another political party runs contrary to the principles of fair competition and political tolerance expected in a democratic system.
He warned that normalising such conduct could deepen political tensions and further polarise the country’s already fragile political landscape.
Frank therefore urged the United States and other international partners to take a keen interest in the development, noting that Nigeria remains a key democratic ally whose internal stability has broader implications for the West African sub-region.
He called for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the statement and recommended that appropriate diplomatic or legal measures be considered if wrongdoing is established.
He also appealed to civil society organisations, election observers, and pro-democracy groups to speak out against any form of political interference aimed at weakening opposition parties, stressing that democracy thrives on healthy competition, transparency, and respect for institutional boundaries.
Efforts to get an official reaction from Gbajabiamila or the Presidency were unsuccessful as of press time. However, political analysts say the controversy underscores growing concerns about the conduct of political actors ahead of future electoral cycles.
The development comes amid increasing scrutiny of political rhetoric in Nigeria, with stakeholders warning that inflammatory or undemocratic statements could have far-reaching consequences for governance and national cohesion.
