A fresh controversy has emerged over President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering an investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), as a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar insists that the probe cannot be credible unless top government officials connected to the matter temporarily step aside.
President Tinubu had instructed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the operations of the PFIPC and every issue surrounding the organisation.
The directive was conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the President also ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to cooperate fully with investigators by making available every document, record and other relevant information required to facilitate the inquiry.
Tinubu further directed the anti-corruption agency to complete its assignment within 30 days and present a detailed report to his office. He stressed that the Presidency would not tolerate the misuse of government institutions or official identities, warning that acts of impersonation, forgery and abuse of public office must be dealt with decisively in order to preserve the credibility of government institutions.
Reacting to the directive, Atiku Abubakar’s Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, questioned the sincerity of the planned investigation, arguing that it would be difficult to convince Nigerians of its impartiality if officials allegedly connected to the controversy remain in office while the inquiry is ongoing.
In a post published on his Facebook page, Ibe maintained that the President should first direct those mentioned in connection with the controversy, including his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to him, allowing those who may have links to the matter to continue performing their official responsibilities while investigators carry out their assignment creates the impression that they could influence or compromise the process.
Ibe argued that a transparent investigation requires every individual whose name has surfaced in the controversy to be removed from positions of authority until the inquiry is concluded.
He further stated that leaving such officials in office would amount to allowing interested parties to oversee an investigation in which they have a direct stake, a situation he believes undermines public confidence in the exercise.
The presidential aide to Atiku insisted that the government must demonstrate its commitment to accountability by ensuring that no individual, regardless of status or position, is shielded from scrutiny.
The controversy follows earlier reports that Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has threatened legal action against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who has allegedly been presenting himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
Gbajabiamila is reportedly seeking N10 billion in damages over the alleged impersonation and claims made by Adeyemi.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has no legal existence and is not recognised as an official government agency. It insists that the activities carried out in the council’s name were not authorised by the Presidency.
As investigations begin, attention is expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the alleged operations of the organisation, as well as the individuals connected to the controversy.
