The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the presidency to explain how an alleged non-existent government agency secured N1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget and operated from the Federal Secretariat without detection.
In a statement issued Thursday, Atiku questioned the circumstances surrounding Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who reportedly presented himself as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency authorities now describe as fictitious.
The presidency, through spokesman Bayo Onanuga, has stated that the PFIPC does not exist and accused Adeyemi of forging documents and impersonating a government official. President Bola Tinubu has urged the public to await the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
However, Atiku described the situation as a major scandal, arguing that it raises serious concerns about oversight within government institutions.
“How did an individual create and operate a federal agency within the Federal Secretariat without detection? How was a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion approved for a non-existent body?” he asked.
According to Atiku, Adeyemi reportedly interacted with senior government officials, lawmakers, diplomats, and traditional rulers while acting in the assumed role, suggesting the matter goes beyond a simple case of fraud.
He also called for a forensic public investigation into the alleged links between Adeyemi and top officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The ADC candidate further urged authorities to investigate claims that Adeyemi paid a N400 million bribe and to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of an alleged intermediary in the case.
Atiku insisted that the trial should be expedited and that all individuals connected to the matter be held accountable before the 2027 general elections.
Earlier reports indicate that Gbajabiamila petitioned security agencies in October 2025 after complaints emerged about forged appointment letters linked to his office. Investigations have since uncovered multiple bank accounts allegedly associated with Adeyemi, as well as attempts to access government financial systems using falsified documents.
Authorities maintain that no public funds were disbursed to the suspect, but the controversy continues to raise questions about gaps in Nigeria’s public sector accountability systems.
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