The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party said Gbajabiamila’s suspension would ensure a transparent and impartial investigation into allegations linked to the council, which the Presidency has consistently maintained does not exist.
The NDC said allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who describes himself as the convener of the PFIPC, raised serious issues that require thorough investigation by relevant authorities.
According to the party, documents purportedly showing a budgetary allocation of more than ₦1.3 billion to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act, alongside claims that the organisation opened multiple accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and obtained approval to recruit hundreds of staff, warrant official scrutiny.
The party also referenced Adeyemi’s allegation that he paid ₦600 million to secure his appointment, claiming that ₦400 million was paid through intermediaries while an outstanding balance of ₦200 million remained unpaid.
The NDC further cited Adeyemi’s claims concerning the death of an alleged intermediary and his assertion that he survived multiple assassination attempts.
“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.
It called for the establishment of an independent investigative panel to determine the legal status of the PFIPC and examine issues relating to its alleged budgetary allocation, financial transactions, bank accounts and personnel approvals.
The opposition party also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to launch separate investigations into the matter.
In addition, the NDC requested that 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 invited for questioning over their alleged roles in the matter.
“The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end. Anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted,” the statement added.
The Presidency has previously denied the existence of the PFIPC and has described documents linking the Chief of Staff’s office to the organisation as forged. Investigations by law enforcement agencies into the matter are ongoing.
