Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, was singled out in a fraudulent scheme involving the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, according to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Wike stated that the targeting of Gbajabiamila was a deliberate move to damage the reputation of the current administration. The allegations stem from claims by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly identified himself as Director-General of the PFIPC, a body that has no official recognition.
Wike made the comments during his monthly press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, insisting that Gbajabiamila could not have been involved in any financial misconduct. He argued that high-ranking officials like the Chief of Staff, the finance chief, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are natural targets for such schemes due to their proximity to power. According to Wike, the idea that Gbajabiamila would engage with a non-existent agency for financial gain was illogical. He questioned why Adeyemi would make public accusations and then evade authorities if his claims were legitimate.
The FCT Minister called for Adeyemi to be interrogated, saying his actions and statements do not align with someone acting in good faith. Wike emphasized that no legitimate budgetary or financial process involves the Chief of Staff creating unauthorized agencies or soliciting funds outside official channels. He maintained that the entire episode was orchestrated to create confusion and discredit key figures in the government. No official charges or investigations involving Gbajabiamila have been announced.
The claim that a phantom agency targeted Gbajabiamila exposes how easily fictitious entities can be weaponized against top officials. If Adeyemi is not promptly questioned, the narrative will continue to serve political actors seeking to exploit ambiguity. Wike's defense hinges on Gbajabiamila's position being too strategic to risk through fraud, yet no evidence has been presented to confirm or dismantle the plot. The unresolved status of Adeyemi's whereabouts leaves room for speculation to spread unchecked.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →