By SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
Thursday, July 9, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended Femi Gbajabiamila against allegations linking him to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency has said is not an official government agency.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike dismissed calls by opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for Gbajabiamila’s removal, describing the demands as politically motivated.
“I know the Chief of Staff very, very well. He was not involved. If the opposition wants to sack somebody, they should first form their own government and then remove whoever they want,” Wike said.
The minister argued that senior officials close to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are often targeted with allegations intended to undermine the administration.
According to Wike, claims that the Chief of Staff authorised payments to a non-existent government agency were unfounded, insisting that the Office of the Chief of Staff has no constitutional responsibility for preparing or managing the national budget.
He also questioned the credibility of the allegations, urging anyone with evidence to cooperate fully with security agencies rather than evade investigation.
Wike recalled that he had personally faced what he described as false allegations in the past, including claims that his son received money in exchange for land allocations in Abuja. He said investigations by security agencies disproved those accusations.
The FCT minister further criticised Atiku and other opposition leaders for publicly calling for Gbajabiamila’s removal before the completion of any official investigation.
The controversy stems from allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), whose purported Executive Secretary, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the council’s alleged take-off grant and receiving funds through a proxy.
The Presidency has denied the allegations and maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency. However, the controversy has continued after reports indicated that the council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budgetary allocation, prompting renewed public debate over its status.
The development has intensified political discussions, with opposition figures calling for a thorough investigation, while government officials continue to reject the allegations against the Chief of Staff.
