The Gbaja Network for Asiwaju 2027 has defended Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, for telling Leke Abejide, a federal lawmaker from Kogi state, to stay in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and “fight and scatter” the party from the inside.
The group, led by national president Gideon Unazi, called the comment a “bold and unapologetic expression of partisan conviction” in a statement released on Friday. They said that Gbajabiamila spoke as a dedicated leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The network said that the advice to Abejide should be seen in light of competitive politics, where parties try to outsmart each other before elections.
“Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila told Hon. Leke Abejide to stay in the ADC and fight and break up the party. This shows that he is loyal to the APC and ready to defend the progressive mandate,” the statement said.
“Strategy is not a crime in politics.” That is what makes a contest. Many politicians say what Gbajabiamila did behind closed doors, but he had the guts to say it out loud.
The group said that Gbajabiamila has never lied about his political views and called him “a thoroughbred progressive who knows how power and party competition work.”
It also said that being chief of staff doesn’t change his political identity, saying that he is still an important person in setting the APC’s strategic direction.
The group says that calls to condemn the comment don’t take into account how Nigeria’s politics work, where parties are always trying to get the upper hand on each other.
“Expecting a top APC leader to give advice that makes an opposition party stronger is not realistic. “Unazi said that Gbajabiamila’s position is clear, not confusing.”
The network also made fun of Bode George, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for speaking out against the comment, calling his reaction “predictable outrage lacking in political honesty.”
It’s funny that Chief Bode George is criticizing. Politics in Nigeria has never been a place where people can be innocent. Parties plan, organize, and yes, try to make their opponents weaker. The statement said, “It is dishonest to single out Gbajabiamila for saying what is common.”
The group said that Gbajabiamila’s political career has been marked by consistency, from his time in the national assembly to his current role as president.
The network stressed that Gbajabiamila’s “forthrightness” is one of the reasons why people respect him in the APC and beyond.
“He doesn’t talk out of both sides of his mouth.” “Nigerians know where he stands, which is a strength in a political climate that is often unclear,” the statement said.
The network said again that it backs President Bola Tinubu’s goal of a second term and that Gbajabiamila is still key to moving the administration’s agenda forward.
The group said it would keep supporting leaders who show “clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment to progressive politics.”
“Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila has once again shown that he is a loyal party member and a strategic thinker.” “His words may be harsh, but they show the competitive spirit that makes democracy work,” Unazi said.
“We stand by him and praise his bravery in speaking out clearly in defense of the APC and its future.”
The group told politicians to work on making their platforms stronger instead of responding to “frank political expressions.” They also said that democracy thrives on competition, not pretending.
