Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has called for the investigation and removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linked to the activities of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Fayose made the call in a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he questioned how a body allegedly operating as a federal government agency could exist and allegedly collect money from members of the public without the knowledge of the authorities.
He also criticised the country’s anti-corruption and security agencies, saying they had remained silent despite the seriousness of the allegations surrounding the council.
According to him, the situation raises serious concerns about accountability within government and the effectiveness of agencies responsible for investigating corruption and fraud.
“Nigeria has gotten to a point where an individual can open a fake presidential office and collect money from people in the name of the government. What a country. Yet, up till now, the EFCC and DSS have not arrested anyone,” Fayose said in the video.
He argued that the matter should not be treated as an ordinary controversy because it involves allegations that a body claiming to represent the Presidency was able to operate openly while allegedly deceiving people.
Fayose maintained that there should be a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the PFIPC, as well as the roles played by those allegedly connected to it.
His comments come amid growing public attention over allegations involving the council and claims made by its self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Adeyemi had alleged that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and later demanded an additional N200 million before he could secure his appointment as Director-General of the PFIPC.
The allegation has generated widespread debate on social media and in political circles because of the senior position occupied by Gbajabiamila in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
However, no official evidence has so far been made public to support the bribery claims, and Gbajabiamila has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the status of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council itself.
Questions have been raised over whether the PFIPC is a legally recognised federal government agency or whether it was established without official approval.
The uncertainty surrounding the council has fuelled public concern, with many Nigerians asking how an organisation could allegedly present itself as operating under the Presidency if it lacked legal backing.
Fayose insisted that such a development, if proven, represents a major failure of oversight by relevant government institutions.
He said it was difficult to understand how people could allegedly use the name of the Presidency to solicit money without immediate intervention from security agencies.
He further questioned why agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) had yet to announce any arrests or investigations relating to the matter.
According to him, Nigerians deserve clear answers on the status of the council and the allegations being made by its officials.
The issue has become one of the latest controversies to confront the Federal Government at a time when the Tinubu administration has repeatedly pledged to strengthen transparency, improve public accountability and tackle corruption.
In recent years, anti-corruption agencies have investigated and prosecuted several cases involving public officials and individuals accused of impersonating government agencies or using government offices to obtain money through fraudulent means.
They note that under Nigerian law, allegations alone do not amount to proof of guilt, and every accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by a competent court.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency, the EFCC nor the DSS had publicly responded to Fayose’s latest remarks.
Similarly, there has been no official statement addressing Adeyemi’s allegations against Gbajabiamila or confirming whether any formal investigation has commenced.
The unfolding controversy is expected to keep attracting public attention as Nigerians await clarification from the relevant authorities on the legal status of the PFIPC and the allegations surrounding its operations.