The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the inclusion of N1.3 billion for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution
following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by
Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the committee on navy.
BACKGROUND
The PFIPC has been dogged by controversy over the N1.3
billion budgetary allocation for the council in the 2026 budget.
On June 11, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President
Bola Tinubu, issued a public disclaimer disowning the appointment of Adeniyi
Adeyemi as the head of the council.
The former speaker of the house of representatives said such
an office “does not exist” under Tinubu’s government, and no appointment has
been made in that regard.
But Adeyemi rejected Gbajabiamila’s claim, describing it as
a glaring contradiction in official government records.
The presidency would later accuse Adeyemi of forging
documents, including an appointment letter, to present himself as the head of
the alleged non-existent government agency.
On Tuesday, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough
investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.
THE MOTION
Moving the motion during Wednesday’s plenary, Gagdi said the
investigation would uncover the institutional lapses that enabled the entity’s
inclusion in the 2026 budget.
Ahmad Satomi, chairman of the committee on national security
and intelligence, said the fiasco has “affected the sanctity” of the nation’s
budget process.
“Whoever is involved must be brought to book and face the
full weight of the law,” he said.
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, backed the motion,
describing the development as “embarrassing.”
Lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion when Tajudeen
Abbas, speaker, called for a voice vote.
Consequently, the house resolved to invite Atiku Bagudu,
minister of budget and economic planning, and Tanimu Kurfi, director-general of
the budget office of the federation, to explain the verification procedures
before new entities are included in the federal budget.
Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate rejected a motion seeking to probe the PFIPC’s inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Instead, senators resolved to withhold further action until
ICPC concludes the probe ordered by Tinubu.
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