The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that the federal government was displeased with him during his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives after lawmakers refused to approve a foreign infrastructure loan that initially excluded the South-East.
Gbajabiamila, who led the House between 2019 and 2023, said the loan request was subjected to thorough scrutiny by lawmakers, who discovered that proposed infrastructure projects were distributed across all geopolitical zones except the South-East.
The decision sparked concerns at a time when debates over alleged marginalisation of the region were widespread.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing newly inaugurated commissioners of the Federal Character Commission at a two-day induction programme.
According to him, the House withheld approval for several months, placing the request on hold until the executive committed to including projects in the South-East.
He explained that the action was driven by the need to uphold the federal character principle and ensure fairness, noting that it would be unjust for any region to be excluded from a national loan that would ultimately be repaid by all parts of the country.
Gbajabiamila recalled that the stance taken by the House did not sit well with the government at the time but stressed that it was necessary to protect equity and national cohesion.
He said situations like that highlight the importance of the Federal Character Commission beyond political appointments, adding that the body has a responsibility to scrutinise budgets and identify imbalances in the distribution of projects and social services before they escalate.
The Chief of Staff urged the commissioners to carry out their duties with courage and a strong sense of national responsibility, emphasising the need to defend constitutional principles even under pressure.
He maintained that fairness and inclusion remain essential for sustaining unity and public trust in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hulyat Omidiran, said the commission would no longer operate on a routine basis, pledging strict adherence to its enabling laws, ethical standards, and institutional discipline.
She described the commission as a key constitutional mechanism for promoting balance, justice, and inclusiveness in the country, stressing that the federal character principle is a stabilising framework for national unity.
Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Prof. Babatunde Bernard, said the induction programme was timely and would strengthen governance and institutional performance.
