NDC calls for investigation of Gbajabiamila over PFIPC controversy

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the removal and investigation of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency insists does not exist.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition group urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.

The call follows claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who identifies himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, alleging that Gbajabiamila demanded and received large sums of money in connection with his purported appointment.

Speaking at a recent press briefing, Adeyemi alleged that the President’s Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through an intermediary and later demanded an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his confirmation.

He further claimed that a disagreement arose after he allegedly refused a demand to surrender 48 per cent of a proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant for the agency.

Adeyemi maintained that the PFIPC was a legitimate government body, citing what he described as budgetary allocations, office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, Treasury Single Account (TSA) details with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and approvals for staff recruitment.

However, the Presidency has dismissed the claims, insisting that the PFIPC is not a recognised federal agency.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Adeyemi as an impostor and said criminal charges of forgery and fraud had already been filed against him.

“The case of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew is a clear case of a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims to deceive unsuspecting government officials,” Onanuga said.

He added that investigations by security agencies showed that Adeyemi allegedly used forged government documents to fraudulently open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

According to Onanuga, no government funds were paid into the account, while the Presidency had earlier issued a public disclaimer stating that the PFIPC is not an agency under the Federal Government.

The Presidency also disclosed that the alleged activities of the group came to light after concerns were raised by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), prompting security agencies to launch investigations.

Meanwhile, the NDC has maintained that the allegations warrant an independent probe, arguing that only a transparent investigation can resolve the conflicting claims surrounding the controversial entity.

As of the time of filing this report, Gbajabiamila has not personally responded to the allegations. The matter is expected to be determined through the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings involving Adeyemi.