The PFIPC scandal has intensified after prominent political figures, civil society organisations and opposition parties called for an independent investigation into allegations surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The growing controversy follows claims that the Presidency described the agency as fictitious despite reports that it received a ₦24 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said the Presidency’s explanation had raised more questions than answers and exposed Nigeria to serious public embarrassment.
Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, Falana questioned how an agency reportedly not established by law allegedly secured budgetary allocations, operated from the Federal Secretariat, opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and received staff postings. He argued that the issue extended beyond allegations against one individual.
“If this is a conman that can con the Presidency into issuing a letter of appointment, con the Central Bank into opening accounts, con the National Assembly into inserting the agency into the budget, I think the government is kidding,” Falana said.
He maintained that Section 81 of the Constitution requires appropriation bills to originate from the Executive, adding that agencies not created by law should not appear in the national budget. Falana also urged the government to ask the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to temporarily step aside while an independent investigation is conducted.
The PFIPC scandal also drew a strong response from former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku demanded a transparent and independent investigation, warning that failure to act would deepen public suspicion. According to him, the controversy has evolved into a crisis affecting the credibility of government institutions.
Atiku questioned reports that the alleged agency reportedly operated from government premises, interacted with foreign diplomats, processed staff salaries and appeared in the Appropriation Act despite claims that it never legally existed. He said Nigerians deserve full disclosure rather than explanations that leave significant contradictions unresolved.
The African Democratic Congress also called for the establishment of an independent judicial panel to investigate the matter. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the Presidency’s explanation failed to address key issues surrounding the PFIPC scandal.
The ADC identified several officials and institutions it believes should be investigated, including: Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Head of the Civil Service Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Budget Office Director-General Tanimu Yakubu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, central Bank of Nigeria, office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, relevant National Assembly oversight committees
The party said investigators should determine how the agency allegedly secured recruitment approvals, budgetary allocations, diplomatic engagements and official recognition if it was indeed not legally established.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) also expressed concern over the controversy, describing it as a major test of transparency and accountability. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director, the party questioned how a body reportedly described as non-existent allegedly opened multiple financial accounts at the Central Bank and received approval for over 300 staff positions.
The party further called for: Immediate removal of the Chief of Staff pending investigation, Establishment of an independent investigative panel, Investigation into reported staff approvals and financial transactions, Examination of all official documents linked to the agency, Full investigations by the EFCC, ICPC and Nigeria Police Force.
The NDC maintained that Nigerians deserve a transparent process capable of restoring confidence in public institutions.
Fresh details also emerged from civil servants reportedly deployed to the agency by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. According to reports published by Premium Times, three officials told investigators they resumed work after receiving posting letters but were never assigned official responsibilities.
The officers stated that they shared an office, received no formal documentation and had no work schedules despite reporting for duty. Each also said they had never previously heard of the agency before their postings. Documents reportedly showed that requests for staff deployment had been submitted under PFIPC letterheads months before the officials resumed work.
Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank also demanded a forensic investigation into the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the appointment controversy. Frank argued that Tanimola’s death should be thoroughly investigated because it could provide important answers regarding the allegations. He also questioned reports suggesting that the alleged agency operated with official vehicles, police escorts and office facilities despite claims that it had no legal existence.
The PFIPC scandal has expanded beyond allegations against one individual into broader questions about government oversight, public finance and institutional accountability. With opposition parties, legal practitioners and civil society organisations demanding independent investigations, attention is now focused on whether the Federal Government will launch a transparent inquiry capable of addressing the growing concerns surrounding the controversy.
