Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)
A coalition of more than 300 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has thrown its weight behind the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, describing allegations made against him by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as “baseless” and “without credible evidence.”
The coalition also called on security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute Adeyemi over the allegations, insisting that the claims were aimed at tarnishing the image of the President’s Chief of Staff.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday after an emergency meeting, the coalition said it convened the briefing to “set the records straight” over allegations levelled against Gbajabiamila by Adeyemi, who it said presented himself as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The statement was jointly signed by representatives of the participating civil society organisations, including Amb. Philip Okwaggbe, Chairman, COCSO; Amadi Chindi, Initiative for Community Development; Ejiroghene Akporume Ovie, Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative; Chiamaka Chukwuebuka A., Women Centre for Self-Empowerment and Development; Balarabe Muhammadu, Leadership Centre for Peace Intercity and Transformation Initiative; Idongesit Edidiong Etop, Youth Enhancement Development Organization; Josiah Josephine Nanbam, Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Economic Advancement.
Others include Funmilayo Eunice Obadare, Global Youths Awareness Development; Nosakhare E. Ehisogie, Positive Action for Agricultural Produce Initiative; Tamarapreye Ebiowei Godwin, Advocacy Centre for Professional Ethics Values; Adajinege Orahachi, Anticorruption Network for Peace Initiative; Chubado Barkindo Demba, Centre for Agri-Business Support in Nigeria; Abatcha Babakura H., Citizen Centre for Positive Change Initiative; and Adda Manga Peters, Initiative for Transformation of the Under Privileged in Nigeria, among others.
The latest intervention comes amid growing controversy surrounding the PFIPC following allegations by Adeyemi, who claimed to head the body and accused top government officials, including the Chief of Staff, of involvement in alleged irregular appointments and the purported sale of government positions.
The allegations have generated widespread public debate, with opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and other political stakeholders calling for an independent investigation into the affair.
The Presidency has, however, distanced itself from the council, maintaining that it is not a recognised government agency.
