PFIPC Scandal: Wike Says Allegations Against Gbajabiamila Are Politically Driven

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday defended President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, against allegations linking him to the controversy surrounding the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Wike said the claims lacked credibility and were driven by politics rather than facts.

The controversy began after Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the council, claimed that Gbajabiamila was connected to the activities of the agency. However, the Presidency has maintained that the council was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal standing.

Wike backed President Tinubu’s decision to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter. He also dismissed calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures for a wider investigation, insisting there was no reason to doubt the government’s ability to handle the case.

The FCT minister said people often target top government officials, especially the Chief of Staff, whenever they want to create problems for an administration. According to him, those behind such accusations believe dragging the Chief of Staff into a controversy is an easy way to damage the image of the government.

He questioned the logic behind claims that Gbajabiamila could have arranged funds for an agency that officially does not exist. Wike explained that the Chief of Staff has no authority to create budget allocations, making the allegation difficult to believe.

He also questioned why Adeyemi reportedly went into hiding after making the accusations, saying anyone with genuine evidence should appear before security agencies and provide documents, phone records and other proof instead of fleeing.

Wike recalled that he had also faced false allegations in the past. He cited an incident where someone accused his son of receiving two million dollars over a land matter. According to him, investigations later showed that his son had travelled out of the country before the alleged meeting, proving the story was false.

He added that although some people advised him to quietly settle the matter to avoid public attention, he refused because he believed it was an attempt to blackmail him.

The minister also accused opposition politicians of using the PFIPC controversy to score political points. He said the speed with which opposition figures reacted after the allegation against the Chief of Staff showed that the matter had political motives.

While noting that he had no information about what may have happened within the budget office, Wike insisted that Gbajabiamila could not have created a budget allocation. He said anyone making such serious claims should cooperate fully with investigators instead of avoiding questioning.

He also criticised calls for the removal of the Chief of Staff before investigations are completed, saying no government should dismiss an official based on allegations that have not been proven. According to Wike, decisions of that nature should only be made after facts have been established through a proper investigation.