Kobo Released’ — Budget Office Breaks Silence on PFIPC Spending

The Budget Office of the Federation has said no public funds were released or spent on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC).

The clarification was made on Friday by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, during his appearance before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the council’s establishment and budgetary allocation.

Yakubu explained that although the National Assembly approved funds for the council, the legal and administrative requirements needed before any money could be released were never completed. As a result, no personnel, overhead or capital funds were paid out.

He said the Budget Office did not grant financial clearance for the council, while no recruitment process or payroll was approved. He added that both the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General were instructed not to process any payment connected to the council.

According to Yakubu, the approved personnel allocation never reached the stage where salaries could be paid, while the overhead and capital votes did not proceed to procurement or any form of expenditure because the required conditions were not fulfilled. He maintained that no public money left government accounts in relation to the council.

The Budget Office boss also assured the House committee that his office would continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation by providing all necessary records and documents to support its position.

The clarification comes amid the controversy surrounding the PFIPC and the activities of Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself for several months as the council’s Director-General. During that period, photographs showing him with diplomats and prominent Nigerians circulated on social media, while the council reportedly operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.

Although the Presidency later stated that the council does not exist and instituted legal action against Adeyemi, he maintained that his appointment was valid.

He also accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of receiving money through an intermediary to facilitate his appointment. Gbajabiamila denied the allegation and has taken legal action over the claim. Adeyemi was later arrested in Osun State.