The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to a controversial corruption scandal involving the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party said the allegations, if established through an independent investigation, would represent one of the most serious corruption scandals to emerge under the current administration.
According to the NDC, the claims surrounding the alleged agency raise profound concerns about transparency, accountability and the credibility of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption posture.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been alarmed by the damning allegations of corruption involving the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, and one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC),” the statement read.
The party alleged that the PFIPC, which the Presidency has publicly described as a non-existent government agency, was allegedly used as a vehicle to divert public resources.
According to the NDC, the allegations suggest that the agency allegedly operated with the active support and facilitation of senior government officials despite repeated denials by the Presidency regarding its existence.
“The so-called agency was allegedly used to siphon public funds, with the active collusion and facilitation by the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila. This scandal raises fundamental questions about the level of transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the Tinubu administration,” the party stated.
The opposition party expressed concern over claims made by Prince Adeyemi that the PFIPC was allocated funds in the 2026 national budget despite the Presidency’s insistence that no such agency exists within the structure of the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the alleged agency was also able to establish multiple official financial accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“According to the allegations by Prince Adeyemi, the PFIPC received budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget and successfully opened a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The NDC questioned how an agency that the Presidency insists does not exist could allegedly complete all the documentation and regulatory requirements necessary to establish high-level government financial accounts.
“The NDC finds it deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level financial accounts at the apex bank. For an individual to open a domiciliary account, stringent documentation is required. How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?” the party asked.
It argued that the alleged development raises important questions regarding the role played by government institutions responsible for approving and monitoring official financial transactions.
The party also questioned whether the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation may have processed official documentation relating to the agency.
“Did the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly process forged documents? The Presidency owes Nigerians an urgent clarification on this matter,” the statement added.
The NDC further expressed concern over reports that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved the recruitment of 314 personnel for the disputed agency.
According to the party, such a significant administrative decision could not reasonably have occurred without the knowledge of the Presidency or the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“The NDC wonders how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Is the Tinubu administration so clueless and incompetent that major decisions bypass its principal officers?” the statement queried.
The opposition party also referred to allegations made by Adeyemi concerning the circumstances surrounding his purported appointment.
According to the NDC, Adeyemi alleged that he secured his appointment through the intervention of the Chief of Staff after allegedly paying ₦600 million.
The party noted that Adeyemi claimed ₦400 million had already been paid through intermediaries, while an outstanding balance of ₦200 million remained unpaid.
The statement further referenced Adeyemi’s allegation that the Chief of Staff allegedly demanded 48 per cent of the proposed take-off grant for the agency.
“More grievous is the allegation that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant amounting to ₦27,395,510,136, a request Prince Adeyemi reportedly rejected, which invariably resulted in a public spat,” the party stated.
The NDC described the allegations as disturbing and indicative of what it called a broader pattern of corruption within the current administration.
“These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders, a notorious trademark of the Tinubu administration.
“The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The party also drew attention to the death of Mr. Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.
According to the NDC, Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, barely one day after the Chief of Staff’s petition against Adeyemi was received by the Nigeria Police Force.
“The situation is further compounded by the mysterious death of Mr. Babatunde Tanimola, the intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly died in a fire accident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Chief of Staff’s petition was received by the Police,” the party said.
The NDC further referred to Adeyemi’s recent claims that he had survived multiple assassination attempts and had publicly alleged that certain individuals within government were plotting to eliminate him.
In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the opposition party demanded the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila from office to ensure that any investigation is conducted without interference.
“The immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow for a full, unbiased investigation, as his continued stay in office constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe,” the party demanded.
The NDC also urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate every aspect of the controversy surrounding the PFIPC.
According to the party, the investigation should examine the alleged budgetary allocations, the opening of official financial accounts, recruitment approvals, financial transactions and every official action connected to the agency.
The opposition party equally called for a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death as well as the alleged assassination attempts reported by Adeyemi.
It further urged the Federal Government to provide adequate witness protection for Adeyemi to guarantee his safety throughout any investigative process.
Additionally, the NDC demanded a forensic examination of all official documents purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff since assuming office.
The party also called on investigators to question officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation over their alleged roles in processing documents relating to the disputed agency.
The NDC further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately commence comprehensive investigations into the allegations.
According to the party, public confidence in government institutions can only be restored through a transparent and impartial investigation capable of establishing the truth.
“The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end. The NDC stands firmly with the people of Nigeria in demanding accountability. Anyone found culpable in this sordid affair, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the statement concluded.
The Presidency has previously dismissed the allegations against the Chief of Staff and maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency, while criminal proceedings involving Prince Adeyemi remain pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
