Opinion
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
PFIPC SCANDAL:
THE PFIPC scandal centers on allegations that an agency known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was listed in government budgetary provisions, yet was subsequently described by the office of the Nigerian president through the chief of staff Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila as a fictitious entity. This has brought issues of budget integrity, transparency, and public financial management under scrutiny.
Key Facts
1. Budget Allocation: PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council was allocated over ₦1.3 billion (N1,302,978,784) in the 2026 Appropriation Act. This included N802.9m for personnel, N200m overhead, and N300m capital.
2. Presidential Position: The Presidency stated on July 1, 2026 that PFIPC is a “fictitious body that was never established by the Federal Government”. The Chief of Staff also issued a disclaimer warning the public that the office does not exist.
3. Allegations: The purported DG, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, is facing trial for conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. He alleged a N27.4bn take-off grant was involved and that 48% was demanded as a cut by the President’s chief of staff Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila who has stridently denied the allegations and distanced himself from the formation or operations of the so-called phantom agency.
Key Concerns
1. Budget Integrity:The inclusion of PFIPC in allocations despite its disputed status raises questions about due diligence.
2. Governance: a well-known CSO SERAP noted the matter raises serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process and legislative oversight.
3. Public Trust: Erstwhile Vice President of Nigeria and the Presidential candidate of the opposition African Democratic Congress (APC) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described it as a “crisis of institutional credibility”.
Stakeholder Reactions
– Senate: Says no petition has been submitted and that the National Assembly neither created nor inserted the agency’s budget line.
– SERAP: Asked Senate President Akpabio and Speaker Abbas to disclose documents relating to the N1.3bn allocation and to investigate the circumstances.
– CSOs/Politicians: NDC and CEFSAN demanded an independent probe and sack of officials. Atiku gave a 7-day ultimatum for an independent investigation.
Presidential Directive on PFIPC: President Tinubu has directed ICPC to probe the PFIPC scandal. The investigation is to examine false documents, bank accounts, movement of funds, and roles of public officers. MDAs were directed to cooperate.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the matter if existence of a non-existent agrncy should be subjected to full investigation by relevant oversight and anti-corruption agencies. Strengthening controls in budget preparation and agency creation is critical to prevent recurrence and restore public confidence. Government officials whose roles in the emergence of this so-called fake agency is eventually established should be subjected to administrative or criminal actions.
***EMMANUEL NNADOZIE ONWUBIKO is the founder of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA.
A.I
July 15, 2026
Tags: Emmanuel NNADOZIE Onwubiko