By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent government agency and the alleged sale of public appointments.
The opposition party said the allegations were serious and argued that Gbajabiamila’s continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of any investigation into the matter.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC urged President Bola Tinubu to relieve the Chief of Staff of his duties pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
“The immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is necessary 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 statement said.
The party alleged that Gbajabiamila was connected to the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which it claimed was used to divert public funds despite reports that the Presidency had denied the existence of the agency.
According to the NDC, the allegations stem from claims made by Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who identifies himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.
The party said Adeyemi alleged that the agency received allocations in the 2026 budget and operated several financial accounts, including domiciliary accounts and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), despite the Presidency reportedly disowning the organisation.
It questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly secure government funding and operate financial accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“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. How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?” the statement read.
The opposition party also questioned claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service approved 314 staff positions for the agency, saying such actions, if verified, would raise serious concerns about accountability within government institutions.
The NDC further referenced allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, reportedly valued at more than ₦27.3 billion.
It also cited claims that Adeyemi secured his appointment through a ₦600 million payment allegedly facilitated through the Chief of Staff, with ₦400 million reportedly paid through proxies while a balance of ₦200 million remained outstanding.
“These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders,” the party stated.
According to the NDC, the allegations have raised concerns over transparency and accountability within the Tinubu administration.
The party also referenced the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.
It said Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after a petition allegedly filed by the Chief of Staff was received by the police.
The NDC further cited Adeyemi’s claims that he survived multiple assassination attempts, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, and called on the authorities to provide him with witness protection.
“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 added.
The party urged President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the alleged operations of the PFIPC, including its budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals and financial transactions.
It also called for a forensic review of official documents signed by the Chief of Staff since assuming office and urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
In addition, the NDC said officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service should be questioned over their alleged involvement.
“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 statement concluded.
Note: The allegations contained in the NDC’s statement are claims by the opposition party and individuals it cited. They have not been independently verified, and no court has determined the liability of the persons mentioned.
