By Isaac Samuel
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, from office over allegations linking him to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the claims as a major corruption scandal that requires an independent investigation.
The opposition party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the allegations surrounding the PFIPC raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and governance under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The demand comes amid growing calls by opposition figures and political groups for a thorough probe into the controversy surrounding the agency, whose existence has been denied by the Presidency.
According to the NDC, allegations made by Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, suggest that the agency received allocations in the 2026 budget and operated domiciliary, Pound Sterling and Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite the Presidency’s position that no such agency exists.
The party questioned how an agency described by the Presidency as non-existent could open multiple bank accounts and secure official approvals.
“It is deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level accounts at the apex bank,” the statement said.
The NDC also queried claims that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the fake agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted without the knowledge of key government officials.
The party further referenced allegations by Adeyemi that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, amounting to N27.39 billion, an allegation it said the claimant made after a disagreement over the purported arrangement.
It cited Adeyemi’s claim that he secured his appointment through the payment of N600 million, with N400 million allegedly paid through proxies and N200 million outstanding.
Describing the allegations as pointing to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, the NDC urged anti-graft agencies and other relevant institutions to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
The party raised concerns over the death of Babatunde Tanimola, described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Abuja in October 2025.
It referred to claims by Adeyemi that he survived multiple assassination attempts and called for him to be placed under witness protection.
Among its demands, the NDC called on President Tinubu to immediately remove Gbajabiamila from office to allow for what it described as an impartial investigation, establish an independent investigative panel, and direct the investigation of all financial transactions, account openings, staff approvals and documents connected with the alleged PFIPC.
The party urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to commence what it described as a full-scale investigation into 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 to the full extent of the law,” the statement added
