Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday empowered about 5,000 residents of Surulere with cash, vehicles and other items under his Mega Empowerment Programme in Lagos.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, also used the occasion to speak on recent allegations against him around the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
He said the empowerment programme included provision of N1.15 billion in cash support, 279 vehicles,including mini-buses, electric cars, electric tricycles, as well as laptops and other items to beneficiaries.
The Chief of Staff said 3,905 beneficiaries received N250,000 each, while 348 others received N500,000 each.
He said the under the programme 61 beneficiaries were presented with electric vehicles, 40 with mini-buses and 100 beneficiaries with laptops.
Gbajabiamila said four Toyota Hiace 18-seater buses, two security patrol vehicles, a medical ambulance and a special T2 jeep were also included in the empowerment package.
He said Surulere and Lagos had remained supportive of him throughout his political career, including during his difficult period.
“Lagos has also stood by me in good and difficult times. The past few months have tested me in ways I never expected. Stories were written, strange accusations were made, lies were told and my integrity was questioned.
“Through it all, the people of Surulere and Lagos, and many well-meaning Nigerians kept me in their prayers and spoke up for me when it mattered. I will never forget that. I thank you all.
“The allegations came ferociously, but I am grateful that my people and those who know me understood that the allegations were false and malicious,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said investigations into the allegations had cleared him, while thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for insisting on due process.
“At the end of the investigations, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) cleared me of any wrongdoing, and the investigative reports are in the public domain.
“For those who seek high office, especially our young people, sometimes this is a high price you have to pay and a sacrifice you have to make. Do not be discouraged.
“I must thank my principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Many people wanted him to rush to judgment and give a verdict before the investigations were concluded. He refused and insisted on due process.
“Let me also say that Mr President knows his Chief of Staff very well. Having worked closely with me for many years, he was therefore confident that I was not in any way involved in those malicious stories,” he said.
Newsmen recall that the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) reported that it found no evidence that Gbajabiamila authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the organisation.
Gbajabiamila said he remained focused on his responsibilities and warned those allegedly using his name to defraud members of the public.
“So, let me speak plainly and directly to all those behind the attacks: no amount of money, blackmail or lies, whether sponsored from within or outside, will distract me from my work and the responsibility Mr President has given me to discharge.
“And to anyone using my name to defraud people or misrepresent me, know that the law will always catch up with you.
“I must say here that, at this moment, he remains one of us and part of the family. What is wrong is wrong, but what is right is right. In politics, loyalty is the currency we spend the most,” Gbajabiamila added.
He said his loyalty to Tinubu had remained consistent despite occasions when the President’s political decisions did not align with his personal wishes.
“I have been with Mr President for many years, and there have been times when his political decisions did not align with my wishes. I did not question his leadership, and I never betrayed the trust he placed in me.