PFIPC scandal: NDC seeks Gbajabiamila’s sack, independent probe
July 3, 2026 9:30 am
File: Femi Gbajabiamila
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has called for the immediate removal of Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, following allegations linking him to an alleged scandal involving the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
In a statement dated July 3, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party said it was “alarmed by the damning allegations of corruption involving the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).”
The NDC alleged that “the non-existent agency was allegedly used to siphon public funds, with the active collusion and facilitation by the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila,” adding that the development “raises fundamental questions about the level of transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the Tinubu administration.”
According to the statement, allegations made by Adeyemi include claims that the PFIPC received allocations in the 2026 budget and opened multiple accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“According to the allegations by Prince Adeyemi, the PFIPC received budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget and successfully opened a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“This development is baffling, given that the Presidency has publicly disclaimed the existence of any such agency,” the NDC said.
The party questioned how an agency it described as non-existent could have operated within official financial systems.
“The NDC finds it deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level financial accounts at the apex bank.
“For an individual to open a domiciliary account, stringent documentation is required.
“How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?” the statement said.
It further asked: “Did the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly process forged documents? The Presidency owes Nigerians an urgent clarification on this matter.”
Staffing approvals, others
The NDC also raised concerns over claims relating to staffing approvals for the alleged agency.
“Equally disturbing is the claim that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for this supposedly non-existent agency.
“The NDC wonders how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” it said.
The statement continued: “Is the Tinubu administration so clueless and incompetent that major decisions bypass its principal officers?”
The party also referenced allegations attributed to Adeyemi regarding financial demands and appointments.
“More grievous is the allegation that the Chief of Staff demanded 48% of the agency’s take-off grant amounting to #27,395,510,136, a request Prince Adeyemi reportedly rejected, which invariably resulted in a public spat,” the statement said.
It added: “Adeyemi further admitted that he fraudulently secured his appointment through the Chief of Staff for the sum of 600 million, with #400 million allegedly paid through proxies to the Chief of Staff, with a balance of 200 million outstanding, a default that reportedly contributed in triggering the current denial of the agency’s existence by aides of the President.”
Describing the allegations as serious, the NDC stated, “These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders.”
The statement further said: “The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria.”
The party also referred to the death of Babatunde Tanimola and claims made by Adeyemi regarding threats to his life.
“The situation is further compounded by the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola, the intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly died in a fire accident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Chief of Staff’s petition was received by the Police,” the statement said.
It added: “Prince Adeyemi has also raised an alarm over multiple assassination attempts on his life, including a brazen attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025. He also cried out recently that there is an attempt by certain forces in government to eliminate him.”
NDC demands
Among its demands, the NDC called for “the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow for a full, unbiased investigation,” arguing that “his continued stay in office constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe.”
The party also urged President Bola Tinubu to establish “an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine all aspects of this scandal, including the operations of the alleged PFIPC, budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial transactions.”
It further demanded investigations into “the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola and the assassination attempts on Prince Adeyemi,” while calling for witness protection for Adeyemi and investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force.
“The NDC will not accept the usual tactic of issuing a mere defensive press release from the Presidency as a deflective ploy.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice. The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end.
“The NDC stands firmly with the people of Nigeria in demanding accountability. Anyone found culpable in this sordid affair, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the statement said.
Presidency’s position
According to the Presidency’s position as reported by Punch, the Federal Government has rejected Adeyemi’s claims and maintains that PFIPC does not exist.
The Presidency, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said investigations found that Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, operated a fictitious government agency, and maintained dozens of bank accounts, including some allegedly opened in the names of non-existent government bodies.
This is as Adeyemi insisted that his appointment, agency and activities so far are genuine and not fake.
Presidency said Gbajabiamila petitioned security agencies in October 2025 over what it described as an “elaborate forgery and impersonation scheme,” leading to criminal charges against Adeyemi and two others.
It also stated that concerns about the purported agency had earlier been raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, while insisting that no such agency exists under the Tinubu administration.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
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