Civil society organisation, Take It Back Movement, has demanded the 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 Take It Back Movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, also called on Nigerians to participate in a nationwide protest on August 5, saying 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.

The statement reads: “At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis has pushed millions deeper into poverty. Since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 and the continued devaluation of the naira, inflation has climbed to historic levels, food prices have become unbearable, transportation costs have multiplied, and millions of working Nigerians can no longer afford basic necessities. The economic burden continues to fall on the poor while those responsible for the crisis remain insulated from its consequences.

“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 Laws have become tools for silencing dissent and criminalising criticism of those in power.

“The continued retention of public officials whose actions have undermined accountability and democratic governance further weakens public confidence in state institutions. Public office exists to serve the people, not to shield incompetence or abuse of power.

We are also concerned by recurring attacks on Nigerians living in other African countries, particularly xenophobic violence in South Africa. African unity cannot exist while fellow Africans are attacked because of their nationality. Every Nigerian deserves protection and dignity wherever they reside on the continent.

“Against this background, the Take It Back Movement presents the following demands: end insecurity and rescue all Nigerians held in captivity; implement a N500,000 national minimum wage that reflects present economic realities; drop all politically motivated charges against Omoyele Sowore; hold Femi Gbajabiamila accountable and remove him from office; end xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and remove DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi and ensure accountable, professional leadership of the agency, among others.”