“Remove Gbajabiamila Now”-Take It Back Movement Demands Sack Over PFIPC Scandal, Announces Aug 5 Protest

Civil society organisation, Take It Back Movement, has demanded the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, over the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

The group said Gbajabiamila should be held accountable following claims by the alleged head of the council, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, that the Chief of Staff was aware of his appointment before the Presidency declared the body non-existent.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, also announced a nationwide protest scheduled for August 5.

He said the demonstration would focus on worsening insecurity, hunger, economic hardship, repression and what he described as the systematic erosion of democratic freedoms under the President Bola Tinubu administration.

In a statement, Sanyaolu said the cost-of-living crisis has pushed millions deeper into poverty. He cited the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 and the continued devaluation of the naira as reasons inflation has climbed to historic levels, making food and transportation unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“Rather than address these realities, the government has intensified its assault on democratic rights. Journalists, activists, students, labour organisers and ordinary citizens are increasingly being harassed, arrested and prosecuted under the Cybercrime Act for exercising their constitutional right to free expression,” the statement read.

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The group also expressed concern over recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in other African countries, particularly in South Africa.

The Take It Back Movement listed the following demands:

– End insecurity and rescue all Nigerians held in captivity

– Implement a N500,000 national minimum wage that reflects current economic realities

– Drop all politically motivated charges against Omoyele Sowore

– Hold Femi Gbajabiamila accountable and remove him from office

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– End xenophobic attacks against Nigerians abroad

– Remove DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi and ensure accountable leadership of the agency

“Public office exists to serve the people, not to shield incompetence or abuse of power,” the group said.

The Presidency has yet to respond to the latest demands.