•Tinubu, Adeyemi (background ) and Gbajabiamila
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed doubts over the ongoing investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the probe will not produce any meaningful outcome unless President Bola Tinubu suspends his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking during the presenting of the organisation’s State of the Nation briefing in Abuja, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, dismissed the House of Representatives’ investigation as a “so-called probe”, alleging that those involved were too closely connected to carry out an impartial exercise, reports The Guardian.
“I call it a so-called investigation because nothing will come out of it at the end of the day,” he said.
“Because they know each other. All those things are supposed to be used to distract citizens from what is being done. In terms of investigation, they are also collecting allowances, and the losers are always the people.”
The House of Representatives is investigating the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act, despite testimonies before lawmakers indicating that the council was never formally established by the federal government.
The ad hoc committee has heard from several government institutions, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Budget Office and the Central Bank of Nigeria, with their submissions revealing conflicting accounts over the council’s existence, operations and funding.
The committee had also directed the Inspector-General of Police to produce the alleged Director-General of the council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, after he repeatedly failed to honour invitations.
Zikirullahi, however, insisted that the ongoing investigation could not be considered credible while Gbajabiamila remained in office.
“For us, if we are to have a fair investigation, whether by the EFCC, ICPC or whoever, if he doesn’t have the integrity to resign on his own, then the President, if he himself has integrity, should suspend Gbajabiamila,” he said.
Questioning why the Chief of Staff had not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny as others linked to the controversy, he argued that no public official should be above investigation.
“What is so special about Gbajabiamila? Is he not a citizen too?
“We have seen prime ministers resign over mere accusations. So what is so big about Gbajabiamila?
“He is a citizen like every other person who is privileged to occupy public office. If the so-called Director-General of the fake agency has been arrested, what is stopping them from arresting Gbajabiamila?
“Whether the allegations are true or false, let him come and let them face each other. Let the public see the transparency and openness of the investigation. We don’t want a situation where the government simply releases documents saying one person is lying.”
In its State of the Nation briefing, CHRICED had described the alleged N1.3 billion allocation to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council as evidence of deep institutional decay, citing conflicting testimonies from government agencies as proof of weak coordination, poor oversight and compromised accountability.
The organisation criticised what it described as questionable provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Act, including allocations for religious projects, the diversion of funds meant for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, rising public debt, and the extension of previous budgets into 2026.
It raised concerns over the State Police Bill, the death of nurse Mary Habila, allegations surrounding the Oriire school abduction, and what it described as increasing attacks on opposition political parties.
CHRICED urged President Tinubu to strengthen accountability, ensure transparent governance and allow anti-corruption agencies to investigate all allegations of budget irregularities and abuse of office without political interference.
