The Senate has said it will not investigate the controversy surrounding the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) unless a formal petition is submitted for legislative consideration.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, stated this while briefing journalists after Tuesday’s plenary, saying the upper chamber had not received any petition from the parties involved or any concerned citizen.
Pinnacle Daily had earlier reported that the Senate was expected to deliberate on the controversy surrounding the PFIPC when lawmakers resumed plenary on Tuesday.
‘Matter is For the Executive to Resolve’
Adaramodu described the dispute as an issue within the executive arm of government, noting that it should be resolved by the relevant authorities.
“The allegations and counter-allegations over the fake agency and fake director-general are all within the executive, which should be sorted out by it, specifically between the Office of the Chief of Staff and the alleged fake DG,” he said.
RELATED NEWS:
- Senate Set to Address PFIPC Budget Controversy Tuesday
- PFIPC Scandal: NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Removal
- 2026 Budget Allocates N1.3bn to Council Presidency Says Doesn’t Exist
- BudgIT Demands Probe into N1.3bn Allocation to Non-Existent Presidency Agency
The controversy centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC and has alleged that the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded bribes in connection with his appointment and the agency’s budget.
The Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government, while the matter is already before a court.
Budget Line Came from Executive — Senate
Adaramodu acknowledged that the PFIPC had a budget allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act but said the provision originated from the executive, not the National Assembly.
He added that it was not the responsibility of the Senate or the House of Representatives to verify the appointments of heads of ministries, departments and agencies that do not require legislative confirmation.
“The budget line being referred to was not created or inserted by the National Assembly, and it is not the duty of the Senate or the House of Representatives to carry out security checks on those supposedly appointed to head the various MDAs,” he said.
Senate Open to Petition
The Senate spokesperson explained that the situation would have been different if Adeyemi had been a presidential nominee whose appointment required Senate confirmation.
“If the alleged fake DG were to be one of the presidential appointees screened and confirmed by the Senate, the controversy might have been perceived to be somewhat linked to us,” he said.
He, however, said the Senate remained open to examining the matter if a formal petition was filed.
“However, if a petition is sent to the Senate by any of the feuding parties or any concerned Nigerian on the existence or non-existence of the agency or DG, it would be legislatively looked into,” Adaramodu added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.