By Luminous Jannamike
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to order an independent forensic investigation into allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting the Presidency “cannot escape accountability” over claims involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The opposition party said the controversy leaves the Presidency facing two equally damaging possibilities.
If its own account is correct, it points to a catastrophic failure of government safeguards after an alleged impostor gained access to the highest levels of government. If the allegations against the Chief of Staff are proven, it would expose corruption at the heart of government.
Either way, the PDP said, Nigerians deserve an independent investigation.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of its Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Matthew over the PFIPC, together with the Presidency’s response through presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, have raised fresh questions about accountability and the integrity of government institutions.
The PDP said Prince Adeniyi Matthew alleged that Gbajabiamila solicited and received financial inducements to facilitate his appointment into the PFIPC before making further financial demands during the course of his engagement.
“The Presidency cannot escape accountability by choosing between corruption and incompetence. If its version is true, it has admitted to an unprecedented collapse of institutional safeguards. If Prince Matthew’s version is true, it has exposed corruption at the heart of government. Either way, Nigerians deserve answers.
“Whichever version of events proves to be true, the implications are deeply troubling,” Ememobong said.
The party said the Presidency, rather than directly denying the allegations, described Prince Matthew as an impostor who allegedly secured office space, had government staff assigned to him, operated CBN-registered accounts and conducted official business with agencies including the EFCC and other security institutions despite having no lawful authority.
It said the Presidency’s explanation only raises more questions.
“How did an alleged impostor gain unrestricted access to the Presidency? Who authorised the allocation of office space? Who approved the deployment of staff and budgetary resources? How were official accounts established? Who permitted him to transact with federal institutions and security agencies? These are questions that cannot simply be dismissed through a press statement,” the statement added.
The PDP said the controversy is the latest in what it described as a pattern of governance failures, citing reports of deceased persons being appointed into public offices, controversies surrounding the presidential pardon process, the alleged N800 billion Progressive Governors Forum scandal and other administrative lapses.
“From the reported appointment of deceased persons into public offices, to controversies surrounding the presidential pardon process, the alleged N800 billion Progressive Governors Forum scandal, and several other avoidable administrative lapses, this administration has repeatedly found itself explaining controversies that ought never to have arisen,” the statement said.
The PDP urged President Tinubu to order an independent forensic investigation into the PFIPC controversy, suspend officials connected to the matter pending the outcome of the inquiry, review administrative processes within the Presidency and issue an unreserved apology to Nigerians.
“The Nigerian people deserve more than explanations. They deserve transparency, accountability, and institutions that inspire confidence rather than suspicion. Until this administration demonstrates a genuine commitment to holding itself accountable, every unresolved scandal will further erode public trust and strengthen Nigerians’ determination to demand a government that is competent, transparent, and worthy of their confidence in 2027,” Ememobong stated.
