Outgoing Speaker, Gbajabiamila, Is Chief of Staff To President Tinubu – Aide

By Ayodele Oni

The Chief of Staff to the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Smart Wasiu, has confirmed the appointment  of his Principal, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

He said President Tinubu’s choice was based on some factors which favoured the outgoing Speaker over other close allies of the President that were eyeing the job.

According to him, the decision to pick Gbajabiamila was made by the President after evaluating all possible candidates aspiring for the post among his loyalists.

Given the benefit of hindsight, Gbajabiamila knew from the onset that the plum job would be his. Since his re-election to tge House of Representatives, unlike other members-elect, he did not bother to go and pick his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He would now have to forgo his election into the House of Representatives for the sixth term.

This development would also give an opportunity for other aspirants within the party that had shelved their ambition to represent Surulere constituency 1 at the House of Representatives for years.

Smart also disclosed that Gbajabiamila was picked by the President after a final meeting with stakeholders that ended Thursday morning at the Villa.

He added that Tinubu’s decision to pick the Speaker was to get someone that has the criteria and connection to ensure a smooth relationship between the National Assembly to accept the President.

Gbajabiamila was born on June, 25, 1962.