Adeyemi: Suspend Gbajabiamila – Atiku’s aide tells Tinubu amid fake agency probe

Media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other persons allegedly linked to the controversy surrounding the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

Ibe made the call on Tuesday in a post on X while reacting to President Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported council and its alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.

According to him, it was wrong for the President to order an investigation without first asking key suspects, including Gbajabiamila, to step aside pending the outcome of the probe.

“It is flagrantly wrong for President Bola Tinubu to order the ICPC to investigate the so-called ‘fake’ agency, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) and its ‘phantom’ Director General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew without asking the key suspects, including his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to go on suspension pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Ibe wrote.

He argued that allowing those allegedly involved to remain in office while the investigation is ongoing could undermine the integrity of the process.

“Not suspending all those involved in the #GbajaGate scandal is akin to them being a judge in their own case. Their continued stay in office while the investigation is going on gives them the opportunity to interfere with the investigation process,” he added.

President Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the PFIPC, describing it as a fictitious body with no legal basis or presidential approval. The President also ordered the anti-corruption agency to submit its report within 30 days.

This version attributes the allegations to Paul Ibe and avoids presenting unverified claims as established facts.