PFIPC Controversy: Why Senate won’t intervene – Spokesman
Senate Refuses to Address Controversy Over Alleged Presidential Council
The Senate has opted not to intervene in the ongoing controversy regarding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Instead, it has called on the executive branch to clarify how the agency was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, complete with an approved budget.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, made the announcement to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday. He emphasized that the issue originated within the executive branch and should be resolved there.
Adaramodu noted that the Senate has not received any official petitions concerning the PFIPC or claims from Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who alleges that he is the agency’s Director-General. He stated that lawmakers will refrain from intervening at this time, particularly as the matter is now under litigation.
“The National Assembly neither created nor included the budget line for this agency and is not responsible for conducting background checks on appointees from the executive,” Adaramodu said. He added that the Senate may consider involvement only if a formal petition is submitted by any interested party.
He remarked that the allegations regarding a fictitious agency and a supposed director general pertain to internal executive matters, suggesting that the dispute primarily involves the Office of the Chief of Staff and Adeyemi.
The situation escalated after President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, publicly denied any knowledge of the PFIPC or Adeyemi. In light of these developments, President Tinubu has instructed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations and report back within 30 days.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga indicated that the investigation was triggered by evidence suggesting that the PFIPC was never officially established by the Federal Government and lacks any legal or presidential approval. The President has directed that all individuals implicated in the alleged scheme be identified and held accountable under the law.