NDC Pushes for Gbajabiamila's Ouster, Independent PFIPC Scandal Investigation

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, following serious allegations connecting him to a purported entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). In a statement issued on July 3, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the political party expressed deep concern over what it described as “damning allegations of corruption” involving Gbajabiamila and one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC.

The NDC's statement alleged that this “non-existent agency” was reportedly used to divert public funds, with Gbajabiamila's active involvement and facilitation. The party argued that these developments raise critical questions about the transparency, accountability, and overall integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to the claims made by Adeyemi, as cited in the NDC's statement, the PFIPC received financial allocations in the 2026 national budget and managed to open multiple bank accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Specifically, Adeyemi alleged that the PFIPC successfully established a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all held at the CBN. The NDC found this particularly puzzling, noting that the Presidency had publicly denied the existence of any such agency. The party questioned how an entity officially disclaimed by the Presidency could operate within the nation's official financial framework.

“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,” the statement read, highlighting the stringent documentation typically required for individuals to open domiciliary accounts. The party further questioned, “How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?” and asked if the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly processed forged documents, urging the Presidency to provide urgent clarification.

Beyond financial matters, the NDC also raised alarms about claims regarding staffing approvals for the alleged agency. The party found it equally disturbing that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation reportedly approved 314 staff positions for this supposedly non-existent body. The NDC questioned how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the Presidency or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, asking if the Tinubu administration was so “clueless and incompetent” that major decisions bypassed its principal officers.

The statement further referenced serious allegations from Adeyemi concerning financial demands and his appointment. It was alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded 48% of the PFIPC’s take-off grant, amounting to N27,395,510,136. Prince Adeyemi reportedly rejected this demand, which allegedly led to a public dispute. Additionally, Adeyemi admitted to fraudulently securing his appointment through Gbajabiamila for N600 million, with N400 million reportedly paid via proxies to the Chief of Staff, leaving an outstanding balance of N200 million. This default, Adeyemi claimed, contributed to the current denial of the agency’s existence by presidential aides.

Describing these allegations as profoundly serious, the NDC asserted that they signify “a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders,” and suggested that the scandal confirms the current administration has “entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria.”

The situation is further complicated by the mysterious death of Babatunde Tanimola, who reportedly served as an intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff. Tanimola allegedly died in a fire accident at an Abuja hotel on October 22, 2025, just one day after Gbajabiamila’s petition against Adeyemi was received by the Police. Prince Adeyemi has also reported multiple assassination attempts on his life, including an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025, and recent cries about attempts by government forces to eliminate him.

Among its key demands, the NDC called for Gbajabiamila's immediate removal to facilitate a full and unbiased investigation, arguing that his continued presence in office poses a conflict of interest and threatens the integrity of any probe. The party urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine all aspects of the scandal, including the PFIPC’s alleged operations, budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial transactions. Furthermore, the NDC demanded investigations into Tanimola’s mysterious death and the alleged assassination attempts on Adeyemi, calling for witness protection for Adeyemi and probes by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force. The NDC emphasized that it would not accept mere defensive press releases from the Presidency, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency, fairness, and justice, and that impunity and the “brazen sale of public appointments must end.” The party affirmed its commitment to demanding accountability and ensuring that anyone found culpable, regardless of their position, faces the full force of the law.

In response, the Presidency, as reported by Punch, has rejected Adeyemi’s claims, maintaining that the PFIPC does not exist. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated that investigations revealed Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter supposedly signed by Gbajabiamila, operated a fictitious government agency, and managed numerous bank accounts, some purportedly in the names of non-existent government bodies. Meanwhile, Adeyemi continues to insist on the authenticity of his appointment, the agency, and its activities. The Presidency noted that Gbajabiamila had petitioned security agencies in October 2025 over an “elaborate forgery and impersonation scheme,” leading to criminal charges against Adeyemi and two others. Concerns about the purported agency were also previously raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, with the Presidency reiterating that no such agency operates under the Tinubu administration.