Turaki-Led PDP Raises Alarm Over Gbajagate, Calls For Transparent Investigation

Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction has called for an independent forensic investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged activities of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

It described the development as evidence of institutional failure, negligence and poor oversight within the federal government.

The opposition party said the allegations concerning the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Presidency’s response to them have raised serious questions about accountability, transparency and presidential oversight. The statement was released on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ini Ememobong.

The controversy arose from claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claimed to be the Director-General of the PFIPC), that he was offered and received financial inducements in respect of his appointment and the management of the council.

However, the Presidency, through its spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the allegations and described the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) as fictitious bodies, alleging that Adeyemi forged official documents and illegally paraded himself as a government appointee.

Reacting to the development, the PDP said the explanation by the Presidency only increased doubts about the integrity and effectiveness of government institutions.

If Adeyemi indeed acted as an impostor, the party said it would be a monumental failure of state institutions, raising questions as to how an unauthorised individual could allegedly secure office accommodation, have personnel attached to his office, obtain budgetary provisions, operate accounts linked to official institutions and engage with agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security bodies.

The opposition party said such a scenario would reveal glaring weaknesses in internal controls, background checks and oversight mechanisms in the nation’s highest offices.

It also argued that if the alternative account is correct that appointments into the PFIPC were based on financial considerations, then the matter would constitute yet another huge corruption scandal requiring immediate investigation and accountability.

The PDP said both situations were injurious to public confidence and indicative of what it called a persistent pattern of administrative failures on the part of the current administration.

The party pointed to previous controversies over government appointments and other governance-related incidents, arguing they point to deeper institutional deficiencies in the federal system.

It said a responsible administration facing allegations of such magnitude should immediately order an independent forensic investigation, suspend officials directly involved with the matter pending the outcome of investigations and institute systemic reforms to prevent recurrence of such and give Nigerians a full and complete explanation.

The opposition party specifically urged President Bola Tinubu to direct a forensic investigation by a reputable international firm, announce the suspension of key officials linked with the controversy, effect a sweeping reorganisation of structures within the Presidency, and apologise unreservedly to Nigerians over what it termed a deeply embarrassing development.

The controversy has heightened concerns about presidential oversight and the effectiveness of mechanisms put in place to guard public institutions against abuse, infiltration and administrative failures, the PDP said.

The party said Nigerians deserve a government based on transparency, competence and accountability, stressing that only a credible and transparent investigation would restore public confidence in state institutions.

Until the government shows it is prepared to hold public officials to account, recurring controversies would deepen citizens’ mistrust and fuel calls for a more responsible and effective system of governance ahead of the 2027 general elections, it warned.