Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has strongly defended Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, against allegations linking him to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, July 9, Wike dismissed the claims as baseless and questioned their credibility, asserting that the chief of staff had no involvement with the alleged fake agency.
Wike Rejects Atiku's Call for Oversight
Wike's comments came after President Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC matter. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had urged opposition parties to monitor the probe, warning against the federal government investigating itself. Wike, however, rejected Atiku's position outright, calling it "rubbish" and expressing unwavering confidence in Gbajabiamila.
"Without any prejudice, I know the chief of staff very, very well," Wike said. He argued that senior officials close to the president often become targets because attacking them can tarnish the entire government's image. The minister also questioned the logic of the allegations, stating, "Does it make sense? An agency that does not exist, that you will tell him to give him so and so amount of money. I mean, it's madness."
Personal Experience with Son's Allegation
To illustrate why he doubts the claims, Wike shared a personal experience from his tenure as FCT minister. He recounted an incident where someone accused one of his sons of collecting $2 million to secure land in Abuja. Instead of ignoring the allegation, Wike reported it to security agencies. Investigators later obtained British Airways records showing his son had left the country before the alleged transaction occurred, clearing him of wrongdoing.
Wike noted that some people advised him to settle the matter quietly to avoid public embarrassment, but he refused, stating he would not give in to blackmail. "The evidence cleared my son and proved the accusation was false," he said, emphasizing the need for careful scrutiny in the PFIPC case.
PFIPC Case Under Investigation
The PFIPC controversy began when Adeniyi Adeyemi claimed to be the council's director-general. The presidency has since stated that the PFIPC is not a recognized government agency. Adeyemi is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including alleged forgery, impersonation, and other related offences linked to his claimed appointment.
In a related development, Adeyemi denied ever meeting Gbajabiamila over the PFIPC issue. Speaking from hiding, he said his only contact was through three phone conversations arranged by a late associate, adding that he could not confirm whether the person on the calls was actually Gbajabiamila.
