ADC Demands Judicial Probe Into PFIPC Scandal, Raises Questions Over Presidency
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the establishment of an independent judicial panel to investigate the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the matter raises serious concerns about governance, accountability and national security.
The opposition party said the allegations and conflicting claims over the council have exposed what it described as deep institutional failures within the current administration.
The demand follows repeated denials by the Presidency that the PFIPC is a recognised government body. The Presidency has also accused Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to head the council, of forging his appointment letter and falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee.
Despite the denials, Adeyemi has insisted that his appointment was genuine. He questioned how the council allegedly appeared in the 2026 budget if it did not exist and further alleged that the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded a ₦400 million bribe from him, an allegation the Presidency has rejected.
In a statement issued on Friday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, said the proposed judicial panel should investigate the roles of key government officials and institutions, including the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Budget Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Central Bank of Nigeria and relevant committees of the National Assembly.
The party also called for Adeyemi to be investigated over his role in the establishment and activities of the disputed council, as well as his claims of payments to senior government officials.
According to the ADC, the panel should be empowered to summon witnesses, obtain official documents and determine whether any public officials were involved in misconduct, abuse of office or other criminal acts.
The party argued that if the PFIPC was indeed a fictitious organisation, Nigerians deserve a full explanation of how it allegedly secured recruitment approvals, budgetary allocations and engagements with various government institutions.
The ADC also criticised the Presidency’s handling of the matter, accusing it of focusing on defending top officials rather than addressing the broader questions raised by the controversy. It further alleged double standards in the government’s response to corruption allegations involving senior public figures.
