The Nigeria Democratic Congress has called for the removal of Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. This follows claims linking him to a supposed scandal involving the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
In a statement issued on July 3, 2026, and signed by Osa Director, the National Publicity Secretary, the party expressed shock at the serious corruption allegations against Gbajabiamila and Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi. Adeyemi claims to be the Director-General of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The NDC alleged that this non-existent agency was used to steal public funds, with Gbajabiamila's help. They said this situation raises serious questions about how transparent and accountable the Tinubu administration is.
The statement included claims from Adeyemi that the PFIPC received money from the 2026 budget and opened several accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
"According to Prince Adeyemi, the PFIPC received budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget and opened a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This is shocking because the Presidency has publicly said that the agency does not exist," the NDC said.
The party questioned how a non-existent agency could operate within official financial systems.
"The NDC finds it very troubling that an agency the Presidency says does not exist could open many high-level accounts at the central bank.
To open a domiciliary account, strict documentation is needed. How could a fake agency open such accounts without proper documentation?" the statement said.
The NDC also asked if the Accountant-General’s Office processed fake documents knowingly. They said, "The Presidency owes Nigerians a clear explanation on this issue."
The party raised more concerns about staffing for this alleged agency.
"Worryingly, Adeyemi claims that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for this non-existent agency.
The NDC wonders how such a big decision could happen without the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government knowing," it said.
The statement continued, "Is the Tinubu administration so out of touch that major decisions do not involve its key officers?"
The NDC also talked about claims from Adeyemi regarding financial demands and appointments.
"More concerning is that Gbajabiamila allegedly demanded 48% of the agency's start-up grant of #27,395,510,136. Adeyemi reportedly rejected this request, which led to a public fight," the statement said.
It added, "Adeyemi also confessed that he fraudulently got his appointment through Gbajabiamila for #600 million, with #400 million reportedly paid to Gbajabiamila through third parties. The remaining #200 million was not paid, causing the current denial of the agency's existence by the President's aides."
The NDC described the allegations as serious, stating, "These are not just claims; they show a worrying pattern of corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments."
The statement said, "The NDC believes this scandal shows that the current government has made corruption a way of running Nigeria."
The party also referred to the death of Babatunde Tanimola and claims from Adeyemi about threats to his life.
"The situation worsened with the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola, who was the link between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff. He died in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Police received a petition from the Chief of Staff," the statement said.
It added, "Adeyemi has also reported several assassination attempts on him, including an open attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025. He recently said some government forces are trying to kill him."
Among its demands, the NDC called for Gbajabiamila's immediate removal to allow for a full investigation. They argue that his staying in office poses a conflict of interest.
The party also urged President Tinubu to set up an independent panel to look into this scandal, including the PFIPC's operations, budget allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial dealings.
They also called for investigations into Tanimola's death and the assassination attempts on Adeyemi, along with witness protection for him. They want the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Nigeria Police to investigate.
"The NDC will not accept just a defensive press release from the Presidency as a way to deflect attention.
Nigerians deserve to know the truth in a fair and open process. The culture of impunity and the open sale of public appointments must stop.
The NDC stands with the people of Nigeria in demanding accountability. Anyone found guilty in this matter, no matter how powerful, must face the law," the statement said.
According to Punch, the Presidency has dismissed Adeyemi’s claims, insisting that the PFIPC does not exist.
The Presidency, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said investigations found that Adeyemi allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter signed by Gbajabiamila and ran a fake government agency. He also allegedly opened many bank accounts, including some in the names of non-existent government bodies.
Adeyemi insists that his appointment and agency are real. The Presidency noted that Gbajabiamila reported the issue to security agencies in October 2025, leading to criminal charges against Adeyemi and two others.
It also said that earlier concerns about the alleged agency had been raised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, maintaining that no such agency exists in the Tinubu government.
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