Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has alleged that Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded and received bribes in connection with the proposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), while calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the council.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Adeyemi claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed take-off grant, valued at ₦27.4 billion, and alleged that ₦400 million was paid through a proxy, with an additional ₦200 million requested before the appointment process could be concluded.
According to Adeyemi, his refusal to meet the alleged demands led to the fallout that culminated in the Presidency issuing a disclaimer distancing itself from the PFIPC.
Questions Over PFIPC Budget Allocation
Beyond the bribery allegations, Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s insistence that the PFIPC does not exist, arguing that the council appears in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
“Let’s assume for one second that all what the Chief of Staff published were right, that the agency does not exist. Then how did the agency’s name get into the 2026 appropriation budget, pages 50 and 51?” he asked.
Adeyemi argued that the federal budget passes through executive drafting, ministerial coordination, Budget Office review, legislative scrutiny and presidential assent before becoming law. He said the inclusion of the PFIPC in the appropriation process raises questions about how a body the Presidency describes as non-existent appeared in official government records.
“This is not an emotional question. It is a procedural one,” Adeyemi said.
He further questioned how the council allegedly secured office space at the Federal Secretariat and opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria if it did not exist.
Presidency’s Position
The controversy began on June 11, when the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President issued a disclaimer stating that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not an agency or office under the Tinubu administration and that no appointment had been made under its name.
The statement advised diplomatic missions, international organisations, financial institutions, security agencies and members of the public to disregard any claims or representations made on behalf of the purported council.
Adeyemi Seeks Independent Probe
Calling for presidential intervention, Adeyemi urged President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the controversy.
He asked the proposed panel to review budgetary references relating to the PFIPC, examine institutional records, conduct forensic analysis of relevant documents, question all parties connected to the matter and publish its findings.
“If I am wrong, let an independent process prove it. If Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is right, let it confirm it,” he said.
Adeyemi also called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary between himself and the Chief of Staff. He further alleged that there had been multiple attempts on his life and urged investigators to examine official documents signed since Gbajabiamila assumed office. He also called on the Chief of Staff to step aside while any investigation is conducted.
Concluding his address, Adeyemi urged Nigerians to focus on facts rather than political distractions.
“Let the investigation speak. Let the documents speak. Let the truth emerge,” he said.
As of the time of publication, the Office of the Chief of Staff had not publicly responded to the specific allegations made by Adeyemi during Thursday’s press conference.
