“Suspend Gbajabiamila before ICPC probes PFIPC” – Atiku’s aide tells President Tinubu

Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), arguing that officials linked to the controversy should first be suspended.

In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Mr Ibe described the President’s approach as “flagrantly wrong,” saying the investigation should not proceed without suspending key officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, pending the outcome of the probe.

“Not suspending all those involved in the #GbajaGate scandal is akin to them being a judge in their own case. Their continued stay in office while the investigation is going on gives them the opportunity to interfere with the investigation process,” Mr Ibe said.

Tinubu orders ICPC investigation

President Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the PFIPC, which the Presidency described as a fictitious body with no legal backing or presidential approval.

The anti-graft agency was given 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit its report.

PFIPC controversy

The controversy surrounding the PFIPC began after Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claims to be the council’s Director-General, alleged that he paid N600 million, including N400 million through proxies, to secure the position.

Mr Adeyemi also accused Mr Gbajabiamila of demanding 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant.

The Presidency has dismissed Mr Adeyemi as an impostor and maintained that the PFIPC does not exist.

However, questions have continued over how the alleged council reportedly secured a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act and opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Calls for suspension

Mr Ibe’s remarks add to growing calls for Mr Gbajabiamila’s suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, have also called on the Presidency to suspend the Chief of Staff while investigations continue.