PFIPC Scandal: You Are Either An Absentee President Or An Accomplice –Atiku Knocks Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of either being complicit in, or unaware of, what he described as widespread irregularities surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal and questionable provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said efforts by the Presidency to shield the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, from allegations linked to the PFIPC controversy had instead deepened public suspicion.

According to him, “The political gymnastics employed by the Presidency to rescue the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, from the mounting allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal have only exposed the Tinubu administration to even greater public ridicule and suspicion.”

The former vice president said while the controversy involving the director-general of the “supposed non-existent” PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, had yet to subside, fresh discoveries in the 2026 Appropriation Act pointed to what he described as a disturbing pattern of budget manipulation.

He alleged that billions of naira earmarked for road construction projects were inserted into the budget of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, despite the agency’s education-focused mandate.

Atiku noted that the budget allocated approximately ₦1.4 billion for the rehabilitation and construction of Obasanjo-Itele Road, Nazareth Road Oke Ola, Imeko, Idogo Township Road and Odedeyo-Mewuro Road. Another ₦1.4 billion, he said, was provided for projects including the Eyini High School to Lusada Junction Road, Ibooro, Idiya Central Community Road, Roundabout Abeokuta, Ile Ise Community Asuje Road and Soyote Community Road.

He added that ₦1.05 billion was budgeted for the Pakuj-Yporan Township Road in Ipokia Ward 2, while another ₦1.05 billion was allocated for RCC Opposite Honda Agbebi Community Road and Ajuwon Baale Road.

Questioning the appropriations, Atiku asked, “Since when did the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education become a road construction agency?”

He argued that diverting resources through an agency established to address Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis represented “not merely a distortion of priorities but a cruel betrayal of the very children the Commission was created to serve.”

“The unavoidable conclusion is that the administration’s henchmen have once again resorted to the now familiar tactic of hiding questionable projects in backwater agencies where public scrutiny is minimal and where funds can be more easily diverted,” he said.

“This is the height of irresponsibility. It is the height of impunity. Indeed, it is the height of evil.”

The ADC presidential candidate further recalled allegations surrounding the 2023 budget, claiming that funds intended for the Federal College of Education, Umunze, were allegedly diverted to constituency projects in Surulere I Federal Constituency when Gbajabiamila served as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He maintained that the latest discoveries suggest “a discernible pattern of budget padding, insertions and diversions that have become a defining feature of governance under this administration.”

Atiku also referenced allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who reportedly claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded billions of naira, including an alleged upfront payment of ₦400 million and nearly half of the PFIPC’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant amounting to an alleged ₦12.5 billion to facilitate his appointment as Director-General.

“The Presidency cannot simply wave away these allegations with press statements and political sophistry when the evidence increasingly points to a disturbing culture of impunity,” he said.

He questioned why Adeyemi had not been prosecuted if he was indeed a fraudster, asking why the organisation was reportedly still operating from the Federal Secretariat and how its promoter was able to visit the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission while allegedly under investigation.

“These are legitimate questions that deserve answers,” Atiku said.

He argued that the controversy was assuming dimensions “even more troubling than the Maina affair,” noting that law enforcement agencies moved swiftly in the case involving Abdulrasheed Maina, unlike what he described as the government’s response to the PFIPC allegations.

Atiku insisted that President Tinubu could not distance himself from the controversy.

“The budget is his budget. The Appropriation Act bears his signature. The agencies involved operate under his administration. If billions of naira can be hidden under agencies with no legal mandate to execute such projects, then either the President approved these distortions or he was completely unaware of what was happening under his watch.

“The first possibility would amount to complicity. The second would amount to an admission of an absentee presidency where consequential decisions are being taken without the knowledge or supervision of the President.

“Neither possibility is flattering.”

He also called on the National Assembly to explain how the appropriations passed legislative scrutiny, saying Parliament was established to safeguard public funds rather than allow “obvious irregularities” to pass unchecked.

According to him, “Nigeria cannot continue on this dangerous path where budgets are treated as instruments for patronage and public institutions are converted into conduits for questionable expenditures.”

He concluded by demanding “a full, transparent and independent investigation” into the allegations, insisting that Nigerians deserve answers over the PFIPC controversy and the disputed budget provisions.