Chidi Odinkalu, a lawyer and former NHRC chairman, has criticized President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, questioning his photo-centric approach
In an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Mic On Podcast, Odinkalu contrasted Gbajabiamila’s public presence with the discreet nature of previous Chief of Staff and president relationships, citing examples of Abba Kyari and President Buhari, Professor Gambari, and Jonathan.
He emphasized that the Chief of Staff’s job isn’t about photo opportunities but about doing the essential work to make the presidency function effectively. He suggested that Gbajabiamila’s focus on being seen may be diverting attention from the substantive work required for effective governance.
In Odinkalu’s words:
“Can you remind me the last time you saw Abba Kyari and Buhari in one picture or when you saw Prof. Gambari and Buhari struggling for who was going to be in what position in one picture? When did you see Mike Oghiadomhe and Jonathan struggling for roles in one picture? When does Gbaja have time to run the presidency because all of these photo ops he is doing are wasting the time that he needs to follow through on the things that will make the presidency work.
The position of the Chief of Staff is not a position for taking pictures. When the president has visitors, Gbaja comes and shows himself What is he looking for”.