•Femi Gbajabiamila
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), urging the immediate suspension of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending the outcome of the probe.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the organisation said the allegations surrounding the PFIPC had raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and governance in the country.
CHRICED was reacting to allegations by the disclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who reportedly claimed that the Chief of Staff facilitated his appointment “at a price,” reports Daily Trust.
The civil society organisation described the allegation as grave and said it should be subjected to an independent and transparent investigation.
According to CHRICED, the controversy reinforces concerns about what it described as increasing opacity in governance and the need for stronger institutional accountability.
The organisation also linked the development to concerns raised in the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report, which it said highlighted discrepancies between government expenditure and official budget records.
It called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office to clarify issues relating to the reported unrecorded spending referenced in the IMF report.
The Ministry has since issued a statement to deny the allegation.
CHRICED further expressed concern over the country’s worsening security situation, saying cases of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes have continued to undermine public confidence in government.
Among its demands, the organisation called for the immediate suspension of Gbajabiamila pending the conclusion of investigations, the establishment of an independent investigative panel comprising civil society representatives, anti-corruption experts and jurists, and the publication of details of all government-linked councils, committees and intervention bodies, including their mandates, funding and operational structures.
It also urged the government to recommit itself to transparency and accountability, particularly at a time of economic hardship and persistent insecurity.
The group appealed to civil society organisations, the media, labour unions, religious leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue demanding accountability from public officials.
CHRICED maintained that the PFIPC controversy should be thoroughly investigated to strengthen public trust in government institutions and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law.
