TD Abuja, Nigeria — The alleged controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has escalated sharply, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rejecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The ADC insists that only an independent judicial panel can restore credibility to what it describes as a “historic scandal” that has shaken public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.
Presidency Orders ICPC Probe
In a statement signed by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu had ordered the ICPC to conduct a 30-day investigation into the fictitious PFIPC, which was never legally established by the Federal Government.
The directive mandates ICPC to probe:
- Forged appointment letters and other official documents
- False claims of presidential appointments used to secure recognition and diplomatic support
- The opening of multiple bank accounts under the guise of government agencies using forged documents
President Tinubu emphasized that the integrity of the Presidency must be protected against impersonation, forgery, and abuse of official identity.
He directed that all persons found culpable be prosecuted strictly in accordance with the law.
ADC Rejects “In-House” Investigation
Responding in a strongly worded press statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi argued that the ICPC, being an agency under the Executive, lacks the independence required to probe a scandal that implicates the Presidency itself.
“The Presidency that is at the very heart of this historic scandal cannot be trusted to investigate itself,” Abdullahi declared.
He called instead for a judicial inquiry composed of “trusted citizens” to ensure impartiality and restore credibility.
The ADC also criticized the Presidency’s statement for appearing to prejudge the matter by declaring the documents “forged” before any investigation had begun.
The party warned that such pronouncements risk biasing the entire process and undermining public trust.
Arrest of Adeyemi’s Father Condemned
The ADC condemned the reported arrest of Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi’s father.
The party described it as intimidation and a violation of Nigerian law, which does not recognize vicarious liability.
“If indeed a crime has been committed, only the suspect can be legally arrested,” the party noted.
It accused government of shielding powerful officials while targeting ordinary citizens.
The ADC argued that such actions create the impression of panic within the Presidency and a desperate attempt to suppress the truth rather than uncover it.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
The ADC demanded that the final report of the investigation be released in full to the public, warning against scapegoating minor officials.
It urged President Tinubu to direct his Chief of Staff to step aside pending the inquiry, to avoid perceptions of interference or undue influence.
“Transparency demands that the full, unredacted report be released at the end of the investigation,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that merely punishing expendable officials will not satisfy a nation crying out for justice.
National Security Concerns
The ADC concluded that the PFIPC scandal is not just a corruption case but a matter of national security, exposing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s institutions and governance structures.
“It must not be swept under the Presidential red carpet,” Abdullahi warned.
He added that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy and its standing in the international community depend on how this scandal is handled.
This unfolding controversy highlights the sharp divide between the Presidency’s insistence on an ICPC-led probe and the ADC’s demand for an independent judicial inquiry.
It has become a litmus test for Nigeria’s institutional integrity, transparency, and the government’s willingness to confront allegations that strike at the very heart of the Presidency.
