Dispute over presidential council deepens as civil society

From Fred Itua, Abuja

Dispute between the Presidency and a self-described presidential appointee, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has intensified following calls by civil society organisations demanding an independent inquiry into the legal status and funding of a disputed government entity.

The controversy began on June 11, 2026, when the Office of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a formal disclaimer regarding the activities of Prince Adeyemi.

The statement, signed by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that Mr. Adeyemi had been falsely presenting himself as a presidential appointee operating under an organisation titled the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”

The Presidency stated that no such council exists within the current administration’s structure and that no such appointment had been made. The statement advised foreign diplomatic missions, multilateral financial institutions, development organizations, and security agencies to disregard representations made by the entity.

Mr. Adeyemi, while addressing newsmen yesterday, rejected the claims and asserted that the council’s nomenclature is explicitly listed within the 2026 federal appropriation budget.

He argued that the inclusion of the entity in the budget raises procedural questions regarding how a non-existent council could successfully pass through executive drafting and legislative review.

Mr. Adeyemi called for an independent panel to investigate the matter and stated his willingness to cooperate with any lawful inquiry.

The dispute has drawn scrutiny from accountability groups. The Accountability Response Group of Nigeria (ARGN), in a statement signed by Suyi Kukoyi, questioned the Chief of Staff’s denial, asking how the council could be referenced in budget documentation without prior objection from lawmakers or the Budget Office.

On June 22, 2026, the issue broadened when a separate civil society coalition petitioned President Tinubu to take an action against Gbajabiamila, pending a transparent investigation.

The petition cited unverified allegations gathered from multiple sources.

The Presidency and the Chief of Staff have not publicly responded to the recent claims raised by the civil society coalition.