PFIPC Allegations Against Gbajabiamila Politically Motivated, Lack Credibility — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations linking President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the controversy surrounding the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the claims as politically motivated and lacking credibility.

Wike, who spoke during a media chat in Abuja on Thursday, said the accusations made by the self-acclaimed director-general of the purported agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, were implausible and aimed at embarrassing the Tinubu administration.

The controversy erupted after Adeyemi claimed to have headed the non-existent government agency and alleged that Gbajabiamila was involved in its activities. The Presidency has since rejected the claims and maintained that no such agency exists.

The minister commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter, insisting that the government had taken the appropriate step.

Reacting to calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and opposition parties for an independent probe, Wike said there was no basis to suggest that the government could not conduct a credible investigation.

“The demand by Atiku is not new. What did he do when he was the Vice President? But let me tell you something. I know the Chief of Staff very, very well. Without prejudice, I know him very well,” he said.

According to Wike, chief of staff to presidents are often prime targets for political attacks because of their strategic positions in government.

“There are people who target those in government just to give a bad name to their boss. If you want to embarrass any government, the first person you target is the Chief of Staff because people believe that once you get to him, the government will be embarrassed,” he stated.

Questioning the logic behind the allegations, the minister argued that it was impossible for the Chief of Staff to create a budget or authorise funds for an agency that did not exist.

“Does it make sense that an agency that does not exist he will ask somebody to give it such an amount of money? It is madness. The Chief of Staff cannot create a budget. It is simply not possible,” Wike said.

He also questioned why the accuser allegedly fled after making the allegations, insisting that anyone with genuine evidence should present it to security agencies.

“If the young man knows what he is saying is correct, why run away? How can you make such a statement and then run away? You need to be interrogated,” he added.

Drawing from his personal experience, Wike recalled how he had previously been the victim of what he described as fabricated allegations designed to tarnish his reputation.

“I have been a victim. Somebody once claimed he knew my children and alleged that my son collected two million dollars after speaking with me about land.

“We investigated the matter and discovered that my son had travelled on a British Airways flight that morning, whereas the alleged transaction was said to have taken place at night,” he said.

He explained that investigators verified his son’s travel records, exposing the allegation as false.

Wike further disclosed that some individuals advised him to quietly settle the matter to avoid negative publicity, but he refused.

“One of them told me that because of my position, I should settle it. I asked, ‘Settle what?’ This is cheap blackmail. I will not allow that,” he said.

The FCT minister accused opposition politicians of attempting to exploit the controversy for political advantage, noting that statements condemning the Chief of Staff were issued almost immediately after the allegations surfaced.

“A man accused the Chief of Staff today, and by the following morning, the opposition had already issued a statement. What is the business of people like Atiku if it is not politically driven?” he asked.

While stressing that he had no knowledge of any issues relating to the budget office, Wike maintained that the allegations against Gbajabiamila were unsubstantiated.

“I am not saying whether there was anything around the budget office because I do not know. But the Chief of Staff cannot create a budget,” he said.

He challenged the accuser to submit all available evidence, including communication records, to security agencies instead of evading investigation.

“If it is true, go before the security agencies. Show them your communications, your phone records and every other proof. But you cannot make such serious allegations and then run away,” Wike said.

He also faulted calls by opposition figures for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff, insisting that no public official should be condemned or dismissed based on unverified allegations.

“People are saying the Chief of Staff must be sacked. By who? The opposition? Why should he be sacked over unproven allegations? That is not how government works,” the minister stated.