The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The opposition party said Gbajabiamila should step aside to allow for what it described as a transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC expressed concern over claims made by Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.
According to the party, the allegations raise serious questions about transparency, accountability and the integrity of the Tinubu administration.
The NDC cited claims that the alleged agency received allocations in the 2026 budget and reportedly opened a domiciliary account, a Pound Sterling account and a Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite being described by the Presidency as non-existent.
It questioned how such accounts could have been opened and whether officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation processed documents for an agency that allegedly had no legal backing.
The party also raised concerns over claims that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the alleged agency, describing the development as one that requires urgent explanation.
The NDC further referenced allegations by Adeyemi that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, estimated at over ₦27.3 billion, an allegation the Chief of Staff has not publicly admitted.
It also cited claims by Adeyemi that he allegedly secured the appointment through payments amounting to ₦600 million, with ₦400 million reportedly paid through intermediaries and the balance left unpaid.
The opposition party said the allegations, if proven, point to deep-rooted corruption and the alleged sale of public appointments.
The statement also referred to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, described as an intermediary in the matter, as well as Adeyemi’s claims of multiple assassination attempts, calling for both incidents to be thoroughly investigated.
The NDC demanded the immediate suspension of Gbajabiamila, the establishment of an independent investigative panel and witness protection for Adeyemi.
It also called for forensic examination of official documents signed by the Chief of Staff since assuming office and urged investigators to question officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General and the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
The party further appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to launch a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
According to the NDC, Nigerians deserve a transparent investigation rather than official denials, insisting that anyone found culpable should face prosecution regardless of their position.