Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged for an impartial investigation into the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), arguing that the current controversy demands full public transparency. His media office issued a statement in Abuja challenging the Presidency’s claim that the agency is entirely fictitious.
This push for an investigation stems from a disclaimer by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who labeled Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the PFIPC as fraudulent. Atiku’s team questioned how such an entity could function out of the Federal Secretariat under the supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without being flagged. Furthermore, the statement highlighted reports that the organization allegedly obtained a budget code and secured a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget, necessitating a thorough forensic audit.
The media office noted that Prince Adeyemi had maintained high-level access to government officials, including Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, as well as various diplomats and business leaders. Given these open interactions, Atiku argues the label of a “ghost agency” is inconsistent with available records. The statement specifically demands that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila account for his involvement, noting that a simple press release cannot address claims that ₦400 million in bribes were allegedly paid to him.
Concluding the statement, the former Vice President emphasized that the current administration cannot impartially investigate itself. He called for a swift judicial process to resolve the scandal before the 2027 elections to maintain public confidence and prevent voter apathy.
