The Senate on Wednesday rejected a motion seeking a comprehensive investigation into the budgetary allocation, operations and controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), citing an ongoing investigation by the Executive.
The motion was sponsored by the senator representing Kano South, Suleiman Kawu, who raised the matter during plenary under a point of order.
Invoking Order 9 and Rule 9(c) of the Senate Standing Orders (2026), Kawu presented a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Investigate the Budgetary Allocation, Operations and Controversy Surrounding the Purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) to Safeguard the Integrity of the Senate and the Federal Government.”
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker expressed concern over the growing public debate surrounding the alleged council, saying the controversy had raised questions about transparency and accountability within government.
“The Senate notes with concern that, in recent weeks, the public space has been inundated with allegations, controversies, accusations and counter-accusations concerning an entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC),” Kawu said.
However, shortly after the motion was presented, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, ruled that the matter would not be entertained for debate.
Jibrin explained that the issue was already being addressed by the Executive arm of government, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for an investigation into the allegations.
According to the Deputy Senate President, the President had instructed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversy surrounding the purported council.
He urged lawmakers to allow the Executive to conclude its investigation before the Senate considers any further legislative action on the matter.
The ruling effectively halted deliberations on the proposed motion, with the Senate declining to initiate its own inquiry into the alleged activities and funding of the PFIPC.
The controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has generated widespread public attention in recent weeks following allegations regarding its legal status, budgetary allocations and operations.
While critics have called for greater transparency and legislative scrutiny, the Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised agency of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government has also announced that the ICPC has been mandated to investigate the allegations surrounding the purported organisation, as authorities seek to establish the facts and determine whether any laws were violated.
The Senate’s decision to defer action reflects its position that the ongoing Executive investigation should be allowed to run its course before any parallel legislative inquiry is considered.