By George Ozalla
A fresh controversy has erupted over the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) following a press conference by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who challenged the disclaimer issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, denying knowledge of the agency and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Prince Adeniyi said the issue was no longer about personalities but about accountability, transparency and the integrity of Nigeria’s public institutions.
He argued that the disclaimer issued by the Chief of Staff on June 11, distancing the Presidency from the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), failed to answer what he described as fundamental questions arising from official government records.
According to him, if the agency does not exist, Nigerians deserve an explanation as to how its name allegedly appeared on pages 50 and 51 of the 2026 Appropriation Budget.
He maintained that if references to a non-existent agency were indeed contained in the national budget, serious questions would arise over the integrity of the budget preparation and approval process involving the Presidency, the Budget Office, the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
Prince Adeniyi also questioned how the agency allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, operated for over a year, maintained Treasury Single Account and foreign currency accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and reportedly received personnel approvals without the knowledge of key government institutions.
He further argued that the disclaimer by the Chief of Staff raises questions about the roles played by several government institutions, including the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the National Assembly.
Prince Adeniyi also alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, an allegation he claimed led to their disagreement after he allegedly refused the request. He further alleged that N400 million had already been collected by proxy, with an outstanding balance of N200 million. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the Chief of Staff has not publicly responded to them.
He also alleged attempts to intimidate him through security agencies and claimed there had been attempts on his life, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in September 2025. He equally called for an investigation into the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as an intermediary in the matter.
Prince Adeniyi appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the status of the alleged agency, review budgetary references and official records, investigate all the allegations, question relevant public officials and make its findings public.
He also urged the Chief of Staff to step aside while investigations are ongoing to guarantee public confidence in the process.
Prince Adeniyi said he was prepared to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation, insisting that documentary evidence should determine the outcome.
The Chief of Staff has consistently maintained that the Presidency has no knowledge of the alleged agency and has publicly distanced his office from it.
The issues raised have gone beyond the question of whether the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council exists. They have opened another debate about transparency, accountability and the operations of public institutions.
If the agency does not exist, how did it allegedly appear in the 2026 Appropriation Budget?
If it exists, why has it been publicly disowned?
If bank accounts were allegedly opened in its name, under whose authority were they established?
If office accommodation was allocated and personnel approvals granted, who approved them?
Were all laid-down procedures followed?
Has the Presidency answered all the questions now being raised?
Should an independent investigative panel be set up to establish the facts?
These are the questions many Nigerians will be asking. Whether Prince Adeniyi’s allegations are eventually proved or disproved, only an independent investigation can establish the truth and put the controversy to rest.
