PFIPC Scandal: Tinubu Govt held hostage by fraudsters — Atiku

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the Presidency’s response to the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, has exposed what he described as deep institutional failures within the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Atiku argued that rather than dispelling concerns over the alleged fictitious agency, the Presidency’s explanation had raised more questions about the integrity of government institutions, the national budget process and accountability mechanisms.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the government’s attempt to defend itself amounted to “a public confession of institutional collapse.”

According to him, it was difficult to accept the claim that a single individual could allegedly forge presidential documents, impersonate senior government officials, establish an office within the Federal Secretariat, operate multiple bank accounts, host foreign diplomats and gain recognition across government circles without assistance from insiders.

He said the development suggested systemic weaknesses rather than the actions of a lone individual.

“The Presidency intended its response as damage control, but it has instead exposed how deeply governance structures have been compromised,” Atiku said.

The former vice president also questioned what he described as contradictions in the government’s position on the PFIPC.

While noting that the Presidency had insisted the council never existed and was merely an elaborate scam, Atiku claimed that public records reportedly showed that about ₦1.3 billion was appropriated for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act alongside the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

He asked who prepared the budget estimates, which ministry submitted them, who defended the estimates before the National Assembly, which lawmakers approved the allocation and who eventually signed the budget into law if the agency was indeed fictitious.

According to him, those questions require clear answers from the Federal Government.

Atiku further criticised the National Assembly, saying lawmakers failed in their oversight responsibility if funds were approved for an agency that did not legally exist.

He also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explain how the alleged fictitious agency reportedly navigated the country’s financial system, arguing that the matter raised concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory safeguards.

The former vice president equally accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of selective anti-corruption enforcement, alleging that the commission aggressively targets opposition figures while showing reluctance whenever allegations involve individuals linked to the government.

He maintained that whether the matter resulted from insider collaboration or institutional negligence, the government could not escape responsibility.

“A government that cannot protect the integrity of its own budget cannot be trusted with the destiny of over 200 million Nigerians,” he said.

Atiku further linked the controversy to the economic hardship facing Nigerians, arguing that while citizens had been asked to endure the consequences of fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms, questions continued to emerge over the management of public funds.

He described the PFIPC controversy as symbolic of broader governance failures, insisting that the issue had grown beyond the alleged actions of one individual.

According to him, the scandal reflects an administration where official explanations generate more questions than answers and where accountability often comes only after public outrage.

The ADC presidential candidate therefore called for an independent investigation into the matter, urging authorities to ensure that all individuals found culpable, regardless of status or political affiliation, are held accountable.

He also urged Nigerians to view the controversy as another test of the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.

The Presidency had earlier dismissed the PFIPC as a non-existent government agency and maintained that the suspect behind the alleged scheme acted without authorisation from the Federal Government.