NDC Demands Suspension Of Gbajabiamila, Probe Of ‘Fake’ Presidential Promotion Council

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to suspend his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the controversy surrounding the purportedly fake presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Friday by its national publicity secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party said Gbajabiamila’s suspension would allow for an “impartial” investigation into allegations surrounding the council, which the presidency has repeatedly said does not exist.

The NDC argued that the allegations raised by convener of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, warrant an independent investigation.

The party said documents indicating a budgetary allocation of over N1.3 billion to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act, alongside claims that the organisation opened multiple accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and obtained approval for hundreds of staff positions, raised questions that should be addressed.

Adeyemi has alleged that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries and an outstanding balance of N200 million.

The NDC also referred to Adeyemi’s claims regarding the death of an alleged intermediary and his assertion that he survived multiple assassination attempts.

“The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria,” the party said.

The NDC called for the constitution of an independent investigative panel to examine the legal status of the PFIPC, its budgetary allocation, financial transactions, bank accounts and personnel approvals.

The opposition party also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the matter, while calling for officials of the CBN, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to be questioned.

“The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end. Anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted,” the statement added.