The PFIPC controversy took another dramatic turn on Monday as Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisted he borrowed ₦400 million to secure the appointment while denying claims that he had gone into hiding.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adeyemi dismissed suggestions that he was evading law enforcement agencies amid the controversy surrounding the disputed council.
According to him, his reduced public appearances were motivated by concerns for his safety rather than an attempt to avoid investigation. He claimed there had been several attempts on his life and maintained that he had credible information indicating that his safety remained under threat.
Adeyemi also stood by his earlier allegation that ₦400 million was paid through a proxy to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as part of the process of securing his appointment. When questioned about the source of the funds, he said the money was borrowed. According to him, the individuals who provided the funds have already reported the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The interview came only hours after Adeyemi publicly appealed to President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the growing controversy. He maintained that he was fully prepared to defend every allegation he had made regarding the disputed appointment process. The claims include allegations that an additional ₦200 million was requested to complete the appointment arrangement.
The Presidency has consistently denied the existence of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the organisation as fictitious.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that concerns over the alleged council first surfaced in October 2025, after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) complained about another organisation allegedly performing overlapping functions. According to Onanuga, Gbajabiamila subsequently petitioned both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force over alleged forged appointment letters and individuals accused of impersonating government officials.
The dispute has continued to escalate, with Gbajabiamila threatening legal action against Adeyemi over the allegations. Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed that the matter be investigated.
Despite the Presidency’s position, the published 2026 Appropriation Bill includes an entity listed as the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council”, with a proposed allocation of ₦1.303 billion, a development that has further fueled public debate over the controversy.
Adeyemi insisted he was willing to subject his claims to judicial scrutiny. According to him, the courts should determine the truth of the matter, stressing that if his allegations are false, the law should decide accordingly, and if they are true, justice should equally be allowed to take its course. The PFIPC controversy continues to attract nationwide attention as investigations and legal processes surrounding the disputed council gather momentum.
