ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged the self-acclaimed Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, to stop avoiding investigation and provide evidence to support his allegations against the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said individuals occupying strategic positions in government, particularly the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and officials responsible for managing public finances, are often targeted by those seeking to discredit an administration.
According to the minister, if Adeyemi’s allegations are genuine, he should present himself before the appropriate security agencies and confront the matter directly instead of allegedly going into hiding.
“If the allegations are true, let him face the security agencies and present his evidence. He cannot simply make such claims and disappear. The Chief of Staff’s phone records and every communication can be verified. Let the authorities investigate the matter thoroughly,” Wike said.
The minister also recounted what he described as an attempt to blackmail him through false allegations involving his family. He said certain individuals claimed that his son facilitated a financial transaction linked to government land, an accusation he dismissed as entirely fabricated and designed to tarnish his reputation as FCT Minister.
Wike explained that following the allegation, his Chief Security Officer initiated steps to arrest the individual behind the claim. He added that investigations revealed inconsistencies in the accuser’s narrative, noting that the timeline provided did not correspond with his son’s travel records on the date the alleged incident was said to have occurred.
He further disclosed that some people approached him privately, suggesting that the matter should be settled quietly instead of being investigated.
Rejecting the proposal, Wike said there was nothing to settle because the allegation amounted to blackmail.
“Why should I settle? Settle what? This is blackmail, and I will never encourage or participate in such an arrangement,” he stated.
The FCT Minister also dismissed reports suggesting that Adeyemi was in hiding out of fear for his safety. He argued that no individual should be considered above the law or exempt from investigation.
“Which life? Is your life more important than the lives of other Nigerians? If serious allegations are made, they should be investigated to their logical conclusion rather than being used to demand the removal of public officials without evidence,” Wike said.
He maintained that allegations against government officials should be subjected to proper investigation and due process, stressing that unverified claims should not be used as tools for political intimidation or blackmail.
— Newday Reporters
Wike Challenges PFIPC Director to Prove Allegations Against Gbajabiamila, Rejects Claims of Political Blackmail
