NDC diaspora Sweden faults Tinubu over PFIPC scandal, demands probe into N1.3bn budget allocation
Politics
By Anthony Isibor
THE Nigeria Democratic Coalition, NDC, Diaspora Sweden has condemned what it described as serious lapses by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, insisting that the scandal exposes deep-rooted weaknesses in Nigeria’s governance and public financial management systems.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Country Coordinator of NDC Diaspora Sweden, Ikeagwuonwu Chinedu Klinsmann, described the controversy as “a damning exposé of systemic corruption in Nigeria,” arguing that it raises troubling questions about the integrity of the country’s budgeting process and oversight institutions.
Klinsmann said that the case was beyond the alleged impersonation by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is facing prosecution over claims that he operated a fictitious government agency, to what he called glaring contradictions within the Federal Government itself.
According to him, while the Presidency has publicly denied the existence of the PFIPC, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and charged Adeyemi with forgery, impersonation and related offences, the same entity reportedly received an allocation of about ₦1.3 billion (₦1,302,978,784) in the 2026 Appropriation Act signed by President Tinubu.
He questioned how an agency the Presidency insists does not exist could allegedly secure office space within the Federal Secretariat, operate bank accounts, including with the Central Bank of Nigeria, engage with diplomats and still appear as a beneficiary in the national budget.
“How does a non-existent agency secure office space in the Federal Secretariat, open accounts including with the Central Bank of Nigeria, engage with diplomats and receive substantial budgetary provisions?” he asked.
According to the NDC official, the development points to systemic failures, possible official collusion and an alarming erosion of public trust in government institutions.
Klinsmann argued that the inclusion of the PFIPC in the 2026 budget raises critical questions about the roles played by the Budget Office of the Federation, relevant ministries, the Presidency and the National Assembly during the preparation, scrutiny and approval of the budget.
He demanded answers on who inserted the budget line, who defended it before lawmakers and whether any funds had already been released to the entity.
“The silence from the Presidency on this specific anomaly is deafening and self-indicting,” he said.
He further accused the Federal Government of failing Nigerians at a time when millions are grappling with economic hardship, insecurity and widespread poverty.
Calls for audit of ‘ghost agencies’
The NDC Diaspora Sweden maintained that the PFIPC controversy reflects a broader problem involving what it described as “ghost agencies,” “zombie parastatals” and duplicate government institutions allegedly created to siphon public resources.
It called for a comprehensive review of all federal and state agencies established since 2015 to determine their legal status, functions and budgetary allocations.
Among its demands, the group urged the Presidency to commission an independent forensic audit of all budget allocations for 2025 and 2026, with the findings to be published within 90 days.
It also called on the Budget Office of the Federation to carry out a parallel review and submit its findings to the National Assembly for public hearings, while urging anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the entire PFIPC affair.
The group said that any public officials found responsible for inserting or approving allocations for non-existent agencies should be prosecuted.
Reforms inspired by other countries
Beyond the immediate investigation, Klinsmann proposed wide-ranging institutional reforms aimed at eliminating ghost agencies and improving accountability.
He cited examples from countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Philippines, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, saying Nigeria should adopt similar rationalisation programmes that have reduced bureaucracy, merged redundant agencies and improved public sector efficiency.
The coalition proposed the establishment of a National Agency Rationalisation Commission to review government agencies, eliminate duplication, enforce periodic performance reviews and publish an annual registry detailing the status and performance of all public institutions.
Other recommendations included mandatory cost-benefit assessments before creating new agencies, digital registries for government entities, biometric payroll audits, stronger whistleblower protections, transparent appointments, performance-based evaluations and greater public participation in monitoring government spending.
Calls for transparency:
The group also advocated stronger fiscal transparency measures, including publication of budget documents and execution reports in line with international standards, enhanced independence for anti-corruption agencies, judicial reforms to fast-track corruption cases and increased diaspora participation in governance reforms.
Klinsmann argued that savings realised from eliminating redundant agencies should be redirected towards education, healthcare, infrastructure and youth employment.
He warned that controversies such as the PFIPC scandal risk damaging investor confidence, discouraging diaspora remittances and deepening public distrust in government.
“The Nigerian people, especially the youth and the Diaspora, are tired of recycled excuses. President Tinubu’s administration must rise above defensiveness and lead a genuine cleansing,” he said.
The NDC Diaspora Sweden reaffirmed its support for what it described as a “prosperous and accountable Nigeria” under the future leadership of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while pledging to continue advocating for governance reforms and accountability.
A.I
July 4, 2026
Tags: Adeniyi Adeyemi Ikeagwuonwu Chinedu Klinsmann PFIPC Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council