The Convener of the Grassroots Good Governance Initiatives and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Surulere, Lagos State, Hon. Bankole Kingsley, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his call for the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to resign.

Kingsley, popularly known as Debonair, expressed his group’s support for Gbajabiamila, describing calls for the former Speaker of the House of Representatives to step aside as premature and inconsistent with the principle of due process.

In a statement, Kingsley said public office holders, like all citizens, are entitled to the presumption of innocence and should not be judged outside established legal and constitutional processes.

He cautioned against what he described as attempts to reach conclusions in the court of public opinion before any official process is concluded.

According to him, Gbajabiamila has built a reputation as a statesman and public servant through his years in public office, including his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has consistently distinguished himself as a statesman, a principled leader and a committed public servant whose record of service to Nigeria remains visible and commendable,” Kingsley said.

He urged Nigerians to allow relevant institutions to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without undue political pressure, stressing that due process, fairness and the rule of law should guide public discourse.

Kingsley also called on political actors and the public to avoid making prejudicial statements and to respect institutional processes in matters involving public officials.

Gbajabiamila served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023 before his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.