By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has continued to generate intense public debate, with many Nigerians demanding a full-scale investigation into how the agency allegedly operated at the highest levels of government before the Presidency distanced itself from it.
The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, recently denied any official link to the council, maintaining that the PFIPC is not a recognized agency of the Federal Government.
However, the explanation has done little to calm public concerns, as questions continue to emerge over the extent of the council’s alleged activities.
According to claims widely circulated in the public domain, Prince Adeniyi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC, operated from office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, maintained a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account in the council’s name, held meetings with ambassadors and senior government officials, participated in international engagements, and was reportedly listed with a budgetary allocation of ₦1,302,978,784 in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
If these allegations are accurate, observers argue they raise significant questions about the effectiveness of institutional oversight and administrative accountability within government.
Analysts say it would be difficult for such activities to occur over an extended period without attracting the attention of relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and oversight institutions.
They contend that the matter goes beyond the actions of any individual and touches on the credibility of public institutions responsible for governance and financial control.
Civil society organizations and public affairs commentators have therefore called for an independent and transparent investigation to establish the facts.
They insist that the inquiry should determine whether any public officials facilitated or overlooked the alleged activities and whether public funds or government institutions were improperly used.
Many supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have also urged the administration to address the controversy decisively, saying a thorough investigation and public disclosure of its findings would reinforce the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
As public interest continues to grow, many Nigerians believe that only a credible investigation and clear official explanations can resolve the lingering questions surrounding the PFIPC controversy and restore confidence in the nation’s institutions.
