Explosive Allegations: Gbajabiamila Embroiled in Presidential Council Bribery Scandal

Allegations surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and claims of misconduct against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, have sparked a significant debate in Nigeria, drawing reactions from civil society organizations and opposition parties. While the Centre for Peace Transparency and Accountability (CPTA) has urged for due process to prevail, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing attack on the Bola Tinubu administration, demanding an independent judicial inquiry into what it describes as a "nest of fraudsters."

The CPTA, in a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Patrick Ogheneyero Jr., emphasized that while allegations against public officials are serious and warrant attention, they must be investigated and determined through lawful processes. The organization asserted that allegations remain unproven until established by credible evidence and lawful investigation, urging stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could erode public confidence in democratic institutions. The CPTA noted that the Office of the Chief of Staff had previously disassociated the Presidency from the PFIPC, maintaining that no such office exists under the current administration. Highlighting the strategic role of the Chief of Staff's office in coordinating presidential activities, facilitating executive decision-making, and supporting policy implementation, the CPTA stressed that accountability must be founded on verifiable facts and legal procedures, not speculation or political rivalry.

In stark contrast, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, strongly criticized the Presidency's handling of the controversy. The ADC reviewed the Presidency's July 1 response, issued by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, but found it raised more questions than answers, suggesting institutional decay. The opposition party alleged that the Presidency's focus on defending Gbajabiamila, rather than explaining how a supposedly non-existent government body allegedly operated across multiple federal institutions, points to either complicity or gross incompetence within the administration.

The ADC expressed profound concerns, arguing that if the PFIPC was indeed "fictitious" as claimed by the Presidency, it is baffling how such an entity allegedly interacted with ministries, corresponded with government agencies, engaged foreign diplomats, secured official recognitions, and generated official documentation. These implications, the party argued, extend beyond individual wrongdoing and touch upon national security and the integrity of governance structures in Nigeria.

Demanding a comprehensive inquiry, the ADC called for investigations into at least ten individuals and institutions. Specifically, the party insisted that Femi Gbajabiamila be probed over documents allegedly issued from his office and claims of receiving bribes between N200 million and N600 million from Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. Prince Adeyemi himself was listed for investigation regarding his role in creating and promoting the PFIPC, verifying linked documents, and examining alleged payments to government officials. Other key individuals and institutions demanded for investigation include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Director-General of the Budget Office Tanimu Yakubu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and relevant oversight committees of the National Assembly. These institutions, according to the ADC, must explain how a purportedly non-existent organization allegedly obtained recruitment approvals for over 300 civil servants, appeared in the 2026 budget, and engaged in official correspondence and interactions with government bodies.

The ADC urged President Tinubu to immediately establish an independent Judicial Panel of Inquiry with powers to summon witnesses, compel official documents, and determine if negligence, abuse of office, collusion, or criminal conduct occurred. The party warned against sweeping the matter "under the Presidential red carpet" and highlighted what it perceived as a glaring double standard in the administration's anti-corruption efforts. It noted the swift deployment of anti-corruption and security agencies against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for allegations, contrasting this with the lack of similar action against Gbajabiamila despite serious allegations. This, the ADC stated, undermines public confidence and reinforces a perception of different accountability standards for political opponents versus those within the inner circle of power.

The opposition party further vowed that if the current administration fails to conduct a transparent investigation, the PFIPC scandal would become "one of the very first accountability priorities of an ADC-led government." It also issued a stern warning to all officials allegedly connected to the controversy, stating that every approval, financial transaction, budgetary allocation, and official correspondence linked to the PFIPC would face scrutiny under any future ADC administration.