“How Did a ‘Non-Existent’ Council Get ₦1.3bn in Budget?” Coalition Challenges FG, Demands Probe

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu 

The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has escalated, with a coalition of civil society groups demanding an urgent investigation into the council’s legal status, operations and reported inclusion in the 2026 federal budget.

What began as the Presidency’s dismissal of the PFIPC as a non-existent organisation has now evolved into a broader debate over transparency, accountability and the integrity of public institutions.

At the centre of the dispute are claims that an agency publicly disowned by the Presidency allegedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation of about ₦1.3 billion, raising fresh questions about how such an entity could find its way into official government records.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, challenged the legality of the council and called on President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive probe into its origin, activities and financial dealings.

The coalition also rejected claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi that he serves as Director-General of the PFIPC, insisting there is no evidence that the council was lawfully established by the Federal Government.

In a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s Convener, Chief Henry Abba, Secretary, Dr. Emeka Theodore, and Programmes Director, Abdulhahi Sarki Barki, the group argued that no government institution can legally operate without a clear legal framework and official authorisation.

According to the coalition, there is no record showing that the PFIPC was created through a Federal Government Gazette, formally inaugurated by the Presidency, or that its officials received valid appointment letters through recognised government channels.

The group further criticised attempts to link the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to allegations surrounding the council, noting that he had publicly denied any knowledge of the body or its purported appointments.

Describing the reported budget allocation as deeply troubling, the coalition warned that the situation raises serious concerns about possible irregularities in the budget process and the management of public funds.

It demanded answers on several issues, including the legal instrument establishing the council, records of its inauguration, the basis for any budgetary allocation, financial transactions carried out in its name, and whether any government officials facilitated its recognition.

The coalition also questioned whether attempts had been made to pressure senior government officials into reversing the Presidency’s position that the PFIPC does not exist.

Calling for decisive action, the group urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue an official clarification on the council’s status, while asking the National Assembly to investigate the reported budget provision linked to the entity.

It further appealed to anti-corruption agencies to trace any public funds released or private funds allegedly solicited in the name of the council.

The coalition warned against any effort to legitimise the body through administrative measures, arguing that recognising an entity without lawful establishment would weaken public trust in government institutions and set a dangerous precedent for accountability in public service.

With pressure mounting from opposition figures, legal practitioners and civil society organisations, the PFIPC controversy is increasingly emerging as a major test of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance.