Atiku Rejects ICPC Probe Of PFIPC, Demands Independent Panel Involving Opposition Parties

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to probe the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The PFIPC has come under scrutiny over the N1.3 billion budgetary allocation made to the council in the 2026 budget.

On June 11, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, issued a public disclaimer disowning the appointment of Adeniyi Adeyemi as the head of the council.

The former speaker of the house of representatives said such an office “does not exist” under Tinubu’s government, and no appointment has been made in that regard.

But Adeyemi rejected Gbajabiamila’s claim, describing it as a contradiction in official government records.

The presidency would later accuse Adeyemi of forging documents, including an appointment letter, to present himself as the head of the alleged non-existent government agency.

On Tuesday, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday through Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said Tinubu’s directive to the ICPC to investigate the matter was a response to the seven-day ultimatum he had earlier issued demanding a transparent probe.

He said Tinubu’s directive to the ICPC exposed contradictions in the presidency’s previous position that the matter had already been comprehensively investigated by the police, with a suspect arrested and criminal charges filed.

“If all of that is true, what exactly is the ICPC expected to spend another 30 days investigating?” Atiku asked.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said if the police probe was indeed comprehensive, another investigation by a government agency would be unnecessary.

“What Nigerians demanded was never another internal government investigation. We demanded an independent investigation,” he said.

Atiku proposed the immediate establishment of a special independent commission of inquiry comprising 10 eminent Nigerians nominated by the federal government, the ADC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and retired judicial officers.

He said the proposed panel should be empowered to conduct a comprehensive investigation into every aspect of the PFIPC affair, review investigative records compiled by the police and other security agencies, summon serving and former public officials where necessary, publish a white paper containing its findings and recommendations, and conclude its assignment within one month.

Atiku said only an independent commission, with representation from the government, opposition parties and CSOs, would command public confidence and restore trust in the outcome of the investigation.