- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate sacking of Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, over his involvement in the alleged fake agency scandal.
NDC made the call in reaction to the ongoing controversies surrounding Gbajabiamila and his alleged connection with the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeniyi Matthew.
The presidency had declared the council non-existence with Adeniyi labelled an impostor following his allegation that he paid N400 million bribe to Gbajabiamila.
Coupled with the bribery allegation, Adeniyi alleged that the COS had demanded 48% of the agency’s take- off grant amounting to N27.4 billion, a request which the self-acclaimed council DG reportedly rejected.
This reportedly led to a public spat between Adeniyi and Gbajabiamila who subsequent denied connection with the agency before the presidency’s declaration of the agency as fake and non-existent.
The development had raised public outrage over what was considered fraudulent and corruption scheme orchestrated under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Joining other dissenting voices in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC raised alarm over the scandal, questioning how such alleged fraudulent scheme had played out with Gbajabiamila being at the centre of it.
“The non-existent agency was allegedly used to siphon public funds, with the active collusion and facilitation by the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila.
“This scandal raises fundamental questions about the level of transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the Tinubu administration.
“According to the allegations by Prince Adeyemi, the PFIPC received budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget and successfully opened a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“This development is baffling, given that the Presidency has publicly disclaimed the existence of any such agency.” The party said.
NDC further questioned the CBN, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on how the agency managed to open such high-level accounts.
It also raised eyebrow against the Head of Civil Service of the Federation who was alleged to have approved employment of 314 staff members for the council.
“The NDC finds it deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level financial accounts at the apex bank.
“For an individual to open a domiciliary account, stringent documentation is required. How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?
“Did the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly process forged documents? The Presidency owes Nigerians an urgent clarification on this matter.
“Equally disturbing is the claim that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for this supposedly non-existent agency.
“The NDC wonders how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.” The NDC stated.
The party labelled the scandal a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption.
“These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders, a notorious trademark of the Tinubu administration.
“The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria.” The NDC wrote.
The NDC also noted the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola, the intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.
Tanimola reportedly died in a fire accident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Chief of Staff’s petition was received by the Police.
NDC also noted Adeyemi allegation of multiple assassination attempts on his life, including a brazen attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025.
The party, in effect, called for the immediate sacking of Gbajabiamila.
It also demanded the establishment of independent investigative panel to probe the scandal as well as the mysterious death of Tanimola.
“In light of the foregoing, the NDC demands as follows: The immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow for a full, unbiased investigation, as his continued stay in office constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe.
“The President should, without delay, constitute an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine all aspects of this scandal, including the operations of the alleged PFIPC, budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial transactions.
“The panel must also investigate the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola and the assassination attempts on Prince Adeyemi, with a view to uncovering the full truth and bringing perpetrators to justice. Similarly, Adeyemi should immediately be given witness protection privileges.” The statement read.
The NDC also requested that the Chief of Staff be compelled to produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic analysis.
It further demanded the questioning of all relevant actors, including officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant- General, and the Head of Civil Service, should be questioned.
“The EFCC, ICPC, and Nigeria Police Force must immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this matter without fear or favour.
“The NDC will not accept the usual tactic of issuing a mere defensive press release from the Presidency as a deflective ploy.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice. The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end.
“The NDC stands firmly with the people of Nigeria in demanding accountability. Anyone found culpable in this sordid affair, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” The party added.