Prince Adeniyi carpets Gbajabiamila over PFIPC contradiction

…Demands Independent Probe On Claims

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has called for an independent investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of making contradictory statements regarding the agency’s existence.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Adeniyi said he was compelled to speak following what he described as attempts to misrepresent him and suppress questions surrounding the alleged agency.

He began by extending birthday wishes to Gbajabiamila, describing the press conference as a “birthday gift” while urging him to disclose what he knows about the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

According to Adeniyi, Gbajabiamila’s June 11 disclaimer distancing the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff from the two bodies raised more questions than answers.

He argued that if the PFIPC did not exist, as stated in the disclaimer, the government should explain how references to the agency allegedly appeared on pages 50 and 51 of the 2026 Appropriation Act.

“The issue is no longer about personalities. It is about contradictions that demand answers,” he said.

Adeniyi contended that the federal budget passes through several stages of executive and legislative scrutiny before presidential assent, adding that the presence of a non-existent agency in official budget documents, if established, would raise concerns about the integrity of the budget preparation process.

He also questioned what he described as the alleged establishment of bank accounts for the agency at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the reported approval of personnel and office accommodation, arguing that these issues required official clarification.

The prince further alleged that the dispute between himself and the Chief of Staff stemmed from an alleged request by Gbajabiamila for a percentage of the agency’s proposed take-off grant, a claim for which he provided no documentary evidence during the press conference. He also alleged that money had been paid by proxy in connection with the matter.

In addition, Adeniyi alleged that there had been attempts to portray his diplomatic engagements as unlawful and claimed that he had survived assassination attempts. He also called for an investigation into the death of one Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary between himself and the Chief of Staff.

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the issues raised.

According to him, the panel should investigate the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death, review alleged assassination attempts against him, examine official documents connected with the disputed agency, review budgetary references and institutional records, question relevant public officials, and publish its findings transparently.

Adeniyi also urged that Gbajabiamila should step aside while any investigation is ongoing, alleging that the Chief of Staff had used his office to intimidate individuals and media organisations.

He appealed to civil society organisations, the media, religious and traditional institutions to support what he described as a transparent investigation, insisting that he was prepared to cooperate with any lawful inquiry.

“If I am wrong, let an independent process prove it. If Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is right, let it confirm it,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Gbajabiamila had publicly responded to the fresh allegations made during the press conference. Several of the claims raised by Adeniyi remain unverified