Gbajabiamila: Real reason Tinubu ordered investigation into PFIPC, Adeyemi- Atiku

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bowed to pressure to order the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, and its embattled director general, Adeniyi Adeyemi. 

In a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu on Wednesday, Atiku claimed that Tinubu’s call for a probe happened to be a response to his seven-day ultimatum. 

He, however, said the ICPC cannot investigate a government that it is part of. 

Atiku maintained that Tinubu’s directive has inadvertently exposed glaring contradictions in the presidency’s own narrative and strengthened the case for an independent commission of enquiry.

He stressed Tinubu’s directive amounts to an admission that the police investigation the presidency repeatedly relied upon was either incomplete or incapable of answering the fundamental questions Nigerians have continued to ask.

“Only one week ago, the presidency emphatically told Nigerians that the matter had already been investigated by the police following petitions from the Chief of Staff in October 2025; that the suspect had been arrested; that searches had been conducted; that documentary exhibits had been recovered; that bank accounts had been traced; that statements had been obtained; and that criminal charges had already been filed before the Federal High Court.

“If all of that is true, what exactly is the ICPC expected to spend another thirty days investigating?

“If the police investigation was comprehensive, another investigation is unnecessary. If another investigation has become necessary, then the inevitable conclusion is that the earlier investigation was insufficient. The President cannot simultaneously maintain both positions without contradicting his own government,” he stated. 

He described the thirty-day timeline handed to the ICPC as both excessive and difficult to defend.

“This is not a fresh crime scene. It is not a newly discovered fraud. It is a matter the presidency insists has already been thoroughly investigated. If that claim is true, the ICPC should not require another month to rediscover what the police supposedly established months ago. Nigerians deserve answers within days, not another cycle of delay.” 

Recall that Tinubu on Tuesday ordered a 30-day probe into PFIPC. 

The embattled DG of PFIPC had accused Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of collecting a N400 million bribe. However, Gbajabiamila and the presidency had denied any wrongdoing.

On Tuesday, Gbajabiamila threatened a N10 billion suit against Adeyemi, whose father was arrested. In response, Adeyemi said he’s ready to defend himself, insisting on his allegation against Gbajabiamila.