Gbajabiamila Called Me And Said Mr. President Wanted To Talk To Me About Akpabio And Abbas -Adeleke

According to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, it is necessary to recall the political discussions that took place behind the scenes during the process of selecting the principal officers of the National Assembly after the 2023 general election.

Adeleke recalled how Femi Gbajabiamila, who was serving as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the time, contacted him regarding the leadership arrangements in the National Assembly. The governor said the unexpected call initially made him concerned that he might have done something to offend the President.

According to Adeleke, Gbajabiamila quickly cleared up the reason for reaching out to him. He explained that the call was connected to President Tinubu’s preferred candidates for the leadership positions in the National Assembly.

Adeleke said the discussion centred on the President’s desire to have Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas supported for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

The governor explained that the period was marked by significant political activity as various interests within the ruling party and across the National Assembly were involved in discussions over who should occupy the key leadership positions. Different lawmakers and political groups had their own preferences, making the process an important part of the early political developments of the Tinubu administration.

Adeleke said Gbajabiamila informed him that President Tinubu wanted to speak with him about supporting Akpabio and Abbas. The governor noted that he was relieved after learning that the communication had nothing to do with a disagreement or problem between him and the President.

Recounting the incident, Adeleke said: “Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff called me and said Mr. President would like to talk to me. And I thought, hope it’s not that I have offended him and he said: ‘No, it’s about endorsing Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas.’”

His account provides an insight into some of the consultations that took place among political leaders during the formation of the National Assembly leadership following the 2023 elections.