NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Sack Over Alleged PFIPC Corruption Scandal
...Calls for EFCC, ICPC, Police Probe
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the alleged corruption scandal involving the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The call follows allegations by the purported Director-General of the Council, Prince Matthew Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded ₦27.4 billion from the take-off grant of the purported agency and received ₦400 million, through proxies, to secure his appointment as Director-General, with an outstanding balance of ₦200 million.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, on Friday, the party alleged that the non-existent agency was used to siphon public funds with the active collusion and facilitation of Gbajabiamila.
Director said that the scandal raises fundamental questions about the level of transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the Tinubu administration.
Referencing Adeyemi’s allegations, he noted that 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.
He described the development as baffling, given that the presidency has publicly disclaimed the existence of any such agency.
“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 party asked.
It questioned whether the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly processed forged documents, stressing that the presidency owes Nigerians an urgent clarification on the matter.
Director also expressed concern over the claim that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the supposedly non-existent agency, wondering how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“Is the Tinubu administration so clueless and incompetent that major decisions bypass its principal officers?” he asked.
He further referred to the allegation that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, amounting to ₦27,395,510,136, a request Prince Adeyemi reportedly rejected, which resulted in a public spat.
“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.”
Director maintained that the allegations point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of public appointments to the highest bidders, which he described as a notorious trademark of the Tinubu administration.
“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 stated.
The party added that 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 incident 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 NDC recalled that Prince Adeyemi had raised the 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.”
Consequently, the party demanded the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila to allow for a full and 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 NDC also urged President Bola Tinubu to, without delay, constitute an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine all aspects of the scandal, including the operations of the alleged PFIPC, budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial transactions.
It further called on the panel to investigate the mysterious death of Babatunde Tanimola and the alleged assassination attempts on Prince Adeyemi with a view to uncovering the full truth and bringing anyone responsible to justice. The party also urged the government to immediately grant witness protection to Adeyemi.
Others demands by the NDC include:
– That the Chief of Staff be compelled to produce all official documents he has signed since assuming office for forensic analysis.
– That all relevant actors, including officials of 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, be questioned.
– That the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) immediately commence a full-scale investigation into the matter without fear or favour.
The NDC stated that it would not accept what it described as the usual tactic of issuing a defensive press statement from the presidency as a deflective ploy, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice.
The party reiterated that the culture of impunity and the alleged sale of public appointments must end, adding that it stands firmly with the Nigerian people 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 added.
