The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has taken a new turn following the emergence of an official document indicating that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) approved an official trip for the council’s alleged Director-General, Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, to attend the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS) in August 2025.
The document has further intensified the dispute between the Presidency and Adeyemi, as the Federal Government had earlier insisted that the PFIPC was never established and described the council as fictitious.
The Presidency had also alleged that Adeyemi forged official documents and falsely presented himself as the head of the council. It subsequently directed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate those who allegedly aided him and prosecute anyone found culpable.
However, the newly surfaced document, reportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office in the OSGF, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, invited Adeyemi to join Nigeria’s delegation to the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit scheduled for August 3 to 8, 2025.
According to the letter, the summit was expected to promote Nigeria’s economic agenda by strengthening bilateral trade relations, attracting foreign direct investment, and advancing digital finance and technology collaboration.
The letter also directed Adeyemi to register for the event and coordinate the participation of other relevant stakeholders, describing his technical expertise and presence as valuable to Nigeria’s delegation.
The latest revelation has raised fresh questions over the Presidency’s earlier position that the PFIPC never existed.
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Government of Pattern of Scandals
Reacting to the development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allowing scandals to become a recurring feature of governance rather than isolated incidents.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that repeated controversies involving government institutions had weakened public confidence.
He maintained that Nigerians were still awaiting comprehensive reports on several unresolved issues, including the humanitarian affairs controversy, allegations of crude oil theft, questions surrounding the 2024 budget, refinery rehabilitation spending, procurement disputes involving major infrastructure projects, and concerns over contract awards.
According to Atiku, the frequency of such controversies has created a troubling pattern that continues to undermine accountability in government.
He also challenged President Tinubu to publicly clarify issues relating to his age, educational qualifications and family background, matters he noted had been subjects of prolonged public debate and litigation.
PDP Demands Independent Investigation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called for an independent forensic investigation into the PFIPC controversy, insisting that the Presidency could not avoid responsibility over allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of its Interim National Working Committee, Mr. Ini Ememobong, the party argued that the Presidency faced two disturbing possibilities.
According to the PDP, if the government’s claim that Adeyemi was an impostor is correct, it would indicate a serious collapse of administrative and institutional safeguards within the Presidency. On the other hand, if Adeyemi’s allegations are proven true, it would suggest corruption at the highest levels of government.
The party questioned how someone allegedly without legal authority could obtain office accommodation, government personnel, official accounts and engage with agencies such as the EFCC and other security institutions.
The PDP further urged President Tinubu to order an independent investigation, suspend any officials connected with the matter pending the outcome of the probe, review administrative procedures within the Presidency, and apologise to Nigerians over the controversy.
SERAP Seeks Details of N1.3 Billion Budget Allocation
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, demanding the release of certified documents relating to the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
In a Freedom of Information request signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the National Assembly to investigate how funds were allocated to a body the Presidency has publicly described as non-existent.
The organisation also requested documents identifying members of the National Assembly committees that considered and approved the allocation, as well as the officials who defended the budget proposal before lawmakers.
SERAP further asked lawmakers to clarify whether the allocation was contained in the Executive’s original budget proposal or introduced during the legislative appropriation process.
According to the organisation, the conflicting positions between the National Assembly and the Presidency have raised serious concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s budget process, legislative oversight and public financial management.
SERAP argued that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was not legally established and called on the National Assembly to provide the requested information within seven days or face legal action to compel disclosure.
The organisation maintained that releasing the documents would strengthen transparency, improve public confidence in legislative oversight, and reinforce accountability in the management of public resources.
Fresh Document Deepens Controversy as Atiku, PDP, SERAP Demand Accountability
