The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, July 8, voted against a legislative investigation into the controversial ₦1.3 billion appropriated for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 national budget. Instead, senators chose to await the outcome of an ongoing inquiry by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Senate Rejects Motion for Probe
The decision followed a voice vote that defeated a motion brought by Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sumaila had called for the Senate to mandate its Committees on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, and Appropriations to investigate how the allocation was proposed and passed. The chamber declined.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, argued that President Bola Tinubu had already directed the ICPC to conduct a full investigation. “I believe that what we need to do at this stage is to have the report of the ICPC, and then we can act on that report, deal with it as we feel appropriate,” Jibrin said, as reported by Vanguard.
Sumaila Warns of Damage to Public Confidence
Senator Sumaila mounted a vigorous defence of his motion before it was overturned, warning that allowing the matter to go unexamined by the National Assembly would further damage public confidence in the budget process. He stated: “Inclusion of a purported non-existent or unauthorised entity in the national budget undermines the credibility of the appropriation process, exposes weaknesses in international budgetary scrutiny, erodes public confidence in the National Assembly and subjects the federal government to avoidable domestic and international criticism regarding transparency, accountability, and fiscal governance.”
Contrast with House of Representatives
The Senate’s position stands in sharp contrast to that of the House of Representatives, which recently adopted its own motion to investigate the same allocation. The House has taken a more aggressive stance, while the Senate opts to wait for the ICPC report.
Background of the PFIPC Controversy
The scandal centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is currently wanted by authorities for allegedly posing as the director-general of both the PFIPC and the Presidential Executive Advisory Council (PEAC). The Presidency insists neither body exists and accuses Adeyemi of forging official government documents. He has denied the forgery allegations, claiming they are intended to silence him.
Adeyemi had earlier alleged that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent cut of the ₦1.3 billion allocation. Gbajabiamila on Tuesday, July 7, issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding a retraction, threatening both a ₦10 billion defamation suit and criminal proceedings, according to Premium Times.
Senate Spokesperson’s Explanation
The day before the Senate vote, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the National Assembly neither recommended nor inserted the allocation, adding that lawmakers are not constitutionally required to vet the credentials of individuals appointed to head government agencies.
Atiku Calls for Independent Investigation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent investigation into the affair, arguing that the ICPC cannot objectively probe a government it operates under.
Deputy Speaker Admits Being Tricked
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, admitted that he granted a meeting to representatives of the PFIPC after their correspondence convincingly mimicked official Presidency communications. Kalu made the disclosure on Wednesday, July 8, during plenary, while contributing to a motion calling for a full investigation into the activities of the purported council, which the Presidency has since disowned.
