The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), accusing the Tinubu administration of attempting to conceal the truth and shield those allegedly involved.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the arrest of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, as an attempt to divert attention from the broader issues surrounding the agency.
According to the former vice president, the controversy extends beyond Adeyemi’s alleged activities, raising questions about how an organisation now described by the Presidency as non-existent allegedly operated within government circles, secured diplomatic recognition, recruited hundreds of personnel, obtained office accommodation and reportedly received budgetary allocations.
Atiku argued that such operations could not have been carried out without the knowledge or involvement of government officials or, at the very least, a serious failure of institutional oversight.
He maintained that the scandal should not be reduced to allegations against one individual but should focus on those who allegedly enabled the organisation to function under the guise of official legitimacy.
The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the inclusion of ₦6.44 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for a “Special Presidential Support Group for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers,” despite Nigeria’s elimination from the qualifying series before the budget was presented.
He described the allocation as evidence of irregularities in the budgeting process and called for a thorough investigation into how such a provision found its way into the national budget.
Adeyemi is currently facing allegations of forgery, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretences.
He has also alleged that he paid about ₦400 million in bribes to secure the position and mentioned several senior government officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku insisted that the allegations deserve an independent, transparent and impartial investigation, arguing that the probe ordered by President Bola Tinubu and assigned to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) cannot inspire public confidence because officials within the administration have been named in the controversy.
He further urged the National Assembly to constitute an independent bipartisan panel to investigate every aspect of the PFIPC saga and called on the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated.
According to Atiku, Nigerians deserve a full account of those who authorised the PFIPC, facilitated its operations, secured its office accommodation, obtained diplomatic recognition for it and approved public funds allegedly allocated to the organisation.
He maintained that only an independent investigation would restore public confidence and uncover the truth behind the controversy.
