The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate establishment of an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, describing the controversy as one of the gravest tests of institutional integrity in Nigeria's recent history.

The party said the allegations surrounding the PFIPC, including claims of bribery involving the President's Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have raised profound concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance under the current administration. 

According to the ADC, the issues at stake extend far beyond allegations against any individual and instead expose fundamental questions about how Nigeria's public institutions operate.

Government's Response Raises More Questions

The party said it had reviewed the Presidency's response to the controversy, including the July 1 statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Rather than resolving public concerns, the ADC argued that the government's explanation left critical questions unanswered. It contended that if the PFIPC was indeed a "fictitious" organisation, as suggested by the Presidency, Nigerians deserve a full explanation of how such an entity allegedly secured official recognition across multiple government institutions.

The party questioned how an organisation described as non-existent could reportedly engage ministries, correspond with public institutions, interact with foreign diplomats, obtain recruitment approvals, appear in government budget documents, and receive official recognition across different arms of government.

According to the ADC, these are questions that cannot be resolved through public statements alone but require a transparent and independent investigation.

Institutions the ADC Wants Investigated

The ADC identified ten offices and institutions it believes should be investigated to establish the full extent of the alleged activities surrounding the PFIPC.

These include:

The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The Budget Office of the Federation.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Relevant oversight committees of the National Assembly, including committees responsible for appropriations, anti-corruption, financial crimes, treaties, and protocols.

The party maintained that every institution connected to the alleged operations of the PFIPC should be subjected to independent scrutiny in order to determine whether negligence, misconduct, abuse of office, collusion, or other criminal acts occurred.

Call for an Independent Judicial Commission

The ADC is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry chaired by respected Nigerians of unquestionable integrity.

According to the party, such a commission should have the authority to summon witnesses, compel the production of official documents, review financial transactions, examine budgetary approvals, and investigate every aspect of the alleged affair without political interference.

The party argued that only an open, transparent, and independent inquiry can establish the facts, identify those responsible, and restore public confidence in Nigeria's institutions.

Concerns Over Institutional Credibility

The ADC warned that the controversy has implications beyond domestic politics, arguing that it risks damaging Nigeria's credibility in the eyes of the international community.

The party noted that if government agencies can publicly engage with an organisation only for its existence to later be denied, it raises serious questions about the reliability and integrity of official government processes.

It further argued that confidence in Nigeria's institutions depends on ensuring that public records, diplomatic engagements, and official communications remain credible and accountable.

Allegations of Double Standards

The statement also questioned what it described as inconsistencies in the government's approach to accountability.

The ADC observed that previous allegations involving other political figures had prompted swift investigations by agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS. It argued that similar standards should apply whenever serious allegations involve senior government officials, regardless of their position.

According to the party, equal application of the law is essential for maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions.

A Call for Accountability

The ADC stressed that the matter should not be dismissed or resolved through selective denials, insisting that Nigerians deserve a full account of the events surrounding the PFIPC.

The party said every approval, official correspondence, financial transaction, recruitment process, budgetary allocation, and public official connected with the matter should be carefully examined. It maintained that anyone found to have abused public office or violated the law should be held accountable through due legal process.

The ADC concluded that failure to conduct a credible investigation would only deepen public concerns about institutional accountability and pledged to continue demanding transparency on the matter.