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Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has broken his silence on the allegations arising from the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying investigations by relevant authorities cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Gbajabiamila spoke in Lagos while addressing his constituents and supporters, where he reflected on the allegations that had subjected him to public scrutiny in recent months.
“The past few months have tested me in ways I never expected. Stories were written, strange accusations were made, lies were told, and my integrity was questioned,” he said.
The controversy centred on Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who had presented himself as the Director-General of the purported PFIPC and claimed that he was appointed through the Office of the Chief of Staff.
The Presidency, however, publicly disowned the organisation. In a June 11, 2026 disclaimer signed by Gbajabiamila, the State House said the purported council did not exist under the Tinubu administration and that no appointment had been made through his office.
The matter subsequently escalated after questions were raised about how the purported organisation operated within government structures and became associated with budgetary and administrative processes.
Adeyemi also made allegations against Gbajabiamila over the purported appointment and the activities of the council. Gbajabiamila denied the allegations and later filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi.
President Tinubu subsequently directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the purported PFIPC.
Gbajabiamila appeared before the ICPC in July 2026 to answer questions as part of the investigation. The commission clarified at the time that he had not been arrested but had voluntarily honoured an invitation from investigators.
The ICPC later reported that it found no evidence linking Gbajabiamila, his office or the State House to Adeyemi, the purported council or Adeyemi’s appointment. It also said the appointment letter allegedly bearing Gbajabiamila’s signature was forged.
Similarly, a House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the controversy said its preliminary findings found no evidence that Gbajabiamila approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported council.
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The committee said evidence before it indicated that Gbajabiamila took steps to alert security and investigative agencies after concerns about the organisation were brought to his attention. It also said documents presented as an executive order and an Act of the National Assembly establishing the purported council were not authentic.
Speaking about the controversy, Gbajabiamila said the allegations against him were false and malicious, adding that Nigerians who knew him continued to support him throughout the period.
“At the end of all the investigations, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, and the PFIPC cleared me of any wrongdoing, and the investigative reports are in the public domain,” he said.
Gbajabiamila also thanked President Tinubu for allowing due process to take its course instead of acting on the allegations before investigations were concluded.
“Many people wanted him to rush to judgment and give a verdict before the investigation. He refused and insisted on due process,” he said.
He further said Tinubu’s long-standing knowledge of him gave the President confidence that he was not involved in the allegations.
The Chief of Staff vowed to remain focused on his responsibilities despite what he described as attacks and blackmail.
“No amount of money, no amount of blackmail or lies, whether sponsored from within or outside, will detract me from my work and the work Mr. President has given me to do,” he said.
He also warned individuals allegedly using his name to defraud members of the public or misrepresent him, saying they would eventually face the law.
“And to anyone using my name to defraud people or misrepresent me, know that the law will always catch up with you,” Gbajabiamila added.
