PFIPC Controversy: NDC Demands Immediate Sack of Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila, Over Bribery Allegations

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), urging the government to institute an independent probe into the matter.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party said Gbajabiamila should be suspended to allow what it described as a transparent and impartial investigation into allegations made by Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC.

According to the NDC, the allegations raise serious questions about transparency, accountability and integrity within the Tinubu government.

The party alleged that the non-existent agency was used to siphon public funds and claimed it operated with the active collusion of senior government officials, an allegation that has not been established in court.

The statement also questioned how the alleged agency was able to secure budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and reportedly open several accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite the Presidency's insistence that no such agency exists.

"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," the statement said.

The party further questioned reports that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved 314 staff positions for the purported agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted without the knowledge of senior government officials.

The NDC also referenced allegations by Adeyemi that he fraudulently secured his appointment through Gbajabiamila after allegedly paying ₦400 million through intermediaries, with an outstanding balance of ₦200 million. Adeyemi has also alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency's take-off grant, claims the Presidency has denied.

Describing the allegations as indicative of "institutionalised corruption," the opposition party called for an independent investigative panel to examine all aspects of the controversy, including the alleged agency's operations, budgetary allocations, financial transactions and staff approvals.

The party also demanded an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, identified as an intermediary in the controversy, as well as alleged attempts on Adeyemi's life, while calling for witness protection for him.

Among its demands, the NDC urged the government to compel Gbajabiamila to submit all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic examination.

It also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to cooperate fully with investigators.

The party further 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 what it described as a full-scale investigation into the allegations "without fear or favour."

The NDC maintained that Nigerians deserve a transparent investigation rather than what it described as "mere defensive press releases" from the Presidency, insisting that anyone found culpable, regardless of position, should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Presidency has consistently denied wrongdoing, describing the PFIPC as a fictitious organisation and maintaining that security agencies acted after receiving reports of alleged impersonation and forgery.