ICYMI: NDC demands Gbajabiamila's sack over alleged PFIPC corruption scandal

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Presidency has described as a non-existent agency.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party alleged that the PFIPC was used to facilitate corruption, including the alleged sale of government appointments and the diversion of public funds.

The controversy centres on claims by Prince Mathew Adeyiyi Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, alleging that the council operated across several government institutions using forged documents, budgetary allocations and recruitment approvals.

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According to the NDC, the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and governance within the Tinubu administration.

The party questioned how an agency that the Presidency has publicly dismissed as fictitious allegedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and opened domiciliary, funding sub-accounts and Treasury Single Account (TSA) facilities with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It also expressed concern over claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved recruitment waivers for 314 staff members for the alleged agency.

The NDC demanded the immediate suspension of Gbajabiamila to allow for what it described as an independent and credible investigation, arguing that his continued stay in office could undermine the integrity of any probe.

The party also called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine all aspects of the allegations, including the alleged operations of the PFIPC, budgetary allocations, financial transactions, account openings and staff approvals.

In addition, the NDC urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force to commence a full-scale investigation into the matter.

The party further demanded the publication of the agency’s alleged staff list, principal officers and budgetary allocations, insisting Nigerians have a right to know whether public funds were diverted through the purported organisation.

The NDC also called for investigations into the death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola, described as an intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly died in a hotel fire in Abuja in October 2025.

It further urged authorities to investigate Prince Adeyemi’s claims of multiple assassination attempts and provide him with witness protection.

According to the party, the Presidency should not rely on official statements alone to address the controversy but should allow a transparent process capable of establishing the facts.

The Presidency has previously maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.