Fake council: Atiku seeks forensic public probe, says Gbajabiamila can’t be exonerated with press release

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Presidency’s explanation of the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, must face public scrutiny.

Atiku, who called for an independent judicial investigation into the alleged fake council, said Gbajabiamila and other officials alleged to be involved in the scandal “cannot excuse themselves with a mere press statement.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, in a statement issued on Thursday, July 2, 2026, argued that the Presidency’s dismissal of the council as a fictitious agency had raised more questions than answers, stressing that Nigerians deserved a transparent account of the affair.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu should not treat allegations of fraud and corruption within government as internal matters, describing the controversy as one that requires a full public inquiry.

Atiku questioned how an individual allegedly created and operated what the Presidency described as a non-existent federal agency from the Federal Secretariat without detection.

Atiku also queried claims that the organisation secured a budget code and a proposed allocation of N1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget, asking how such developments could have occurred if the agency had no legal existence.

The former vice president stated: “Well-meaning Nigerians would want an independent probe of this, and other hidden scams at the seat of Tinubu’s government.

“How did an unknown state actor manage to create and reside a federal government agency in the Federal Secretariat, which is under the supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, without being detected?

“How did he secure a budgetary code and allocation of N1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget?

“We must never forget in a hurry that this same man met with key officials of the state and heads of government agencies, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede. He also met with traditional rulers, diplomats and prospective investors. Prince Adeyemi operated in the full glare of the public and not as a ghost.”

Buhari’s minister questions presidency’s defence of Gbajabiamila over fake agency

Atiku argued that the extent of the engagements made it difficult to accept claims that the council existed only as a fraudulent creation.

“The argument that Adeyemi’s PFIPC is a ghost agency is not tenable considering that there is evidence that the Senate and House and Representatives had official communication with the so-called non-existent agency,” he noted.

The former vice president further maintained that the Presidency had not adequately addressed allegations that Adeyemi claimed to have paid a N400 million bribe to Gbajabiamila.

Atiku insisted that an official statement was insufficient to resolve the allegations, calling for what he described as a forensic public probe involving all individuals allegedly connected to the matter.

Atiku said: “The Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and others alleged to be involved in this scandal cannot excuse themselves with a mere press statement. Public servants and political leaders must be accountable for their stewardship. We demand a forensic public probe. No amount of government-speak or scented propaganda can clear this mess.

“By the way, the presidency’s disclaimer did not clear the air on the N400 million bribe Prince Adeyemi allegedly claimed he gave to Gbajabiamila.

“Lest we forget, there’s the mysterious death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who served as the alleged intermediary and go-between for Adeyemi in the bribery and appointment scandal involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. This is why a comprehensive probe into the #GbajabiamilaGate scandal is a necessity.”

Atiku urged the government to ensure a swift trial of Adeyemi while inviting key figures in both the executive and legislative arms of government to explain any roles they may have played in the alleged scandal.

The former vice president further called for the matter to be conclusively resolved before the 2027 general election, arguing that failure to do so could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and discourage voter participation.

His remarks come a day after the Presidency, through Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disowned the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, describing it as a fictitious organisation and identifying Adeyemi as an impostor.