PFIPC scandal: ADC demands judicial inquiry, seeks probe of 10 individuals, institutions

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately establish an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the matter raises serious concerns about governance, accountability and the integrity of public institutions.

The opposition party made the demand in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The ADC said it had carefully studied the allegations surrounding the PFIPC and the Presidency’s response issued on 1 July by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the party, rather than address the questions raised by Nigerians, the Presidency’s statement created even more concerns.

“We have also taken note of the July 1 statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. The ADC takes this statement as the APC government’s position on this latest scandal,” the statement said.

The party added, “Rather than provide answers to the raging questions on this scandal, the statement has instead left more questions.”

The ADC argued that the controversy goes beyond the individual accused of forging documents and should be treated as a national issue involving several government institutions.

It said that, by the Presidency’s own account, an organisation now described as “fictitious” was allegedly able to interact with ministries, public institutions and foreign diplomats while operating across different arms of government.

“This is no longer a matter involving one individual. It is a matter that goes to the heart of the security and integrity of the Nigerian state under the Tinubu government,” the party stated.

The ADC accused the Presidency of focusing on clearing the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, instead of explaining how the alleged activities were allowed to happen.

According to the party, if the Presidency’s account is correct, then several institutions must explain their roles in the matter.

The ADC identified 10 institutions and individuals it believes should be investigated by an independent panel. They include the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, 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 committees of the National Assembly.

The party questioned how the alleged organisation was able to obtain recruitment approvals, reportedly recruit more than 300 civil servants, secure budgetary allocations running into billions of naira, engage with foreign diplomats, exchange official correspondence with government institutions, and allegedly operate across different government agencies if it did not legally exist.

“If indeed the PFIPC was a fictitious organisation, then Nigerians deserve to know how a fictitious organisation allegedly secured recruitment approvals, budgetary allocations, official correspondence, diplomatic engagements, interactions with federal institutions, and recognition across multiple arms of government,” the statement said.

The party also argued that if the PFIPC was not fictitious, as alleged by the Presidency, then Nigerians deserve to know why the government had publicly distanced itself from the organisation.

The ADC insisted that the controversy cannot be resolved through official statements or criminal charges alone.

“These are serious questions that cannot be answered by press statements, selective denials, or criminal prosecutions alone. Only a truly independent judicial inquiry can establish the facts, identify those responsible, and restore public confidence in the integrity of our institutions,” it said.

The party further stated that the scandal had damaged the credibility of government institutions and could affect Nigeria’s relationship with the international community.

It said foreign diplomats and international partners might begin to question the authenticity of government agencies following the controversy.

The ADC also accused the Tinubu administration of applying double standards in the fight against corruption.

It noted that anti-corruption and security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), had been deployed to investigate allegations involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, but no similar action had been taken against the President’s Chief of Staff over the PFIPC allegations.

“Yet, in a matter involving serious allegations concerning the Chief of Staff to the President, the same government has not deemed it necessary even to ask Femi Gbajabiamila to step aside pending an independent investigation,” the statement said.

The party said this glaring double standard weakens public confidence in government and creates the impression that political opponents and those close to those in power are treated differently.

The ADC urged President Tinubu to immediately constitute an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by respected and impartial Nigerians with powers to summon witnesses, obtain documents, and determine whether there was negligence, abuse of office, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing.

It warned that if the administration failed to carry out an independent investigation, the PFIPC controversy would become one of the accountability priorities of an ADC-led government.

“There will be no sacred cows, no untouchables, and no hiding place for corruption,” the party declared.

PFIPC scandal: ADC demands judicial inquiry, seeks probe of 10 individuals, institutions