The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, over allegations linking him to a corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent government agency and the alleged sale of public appointments.

In a press statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party argued that Gbajabiamila’s continued stay in office poses a direct threat to the integrity of any credible investigation into the matter. “The immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow for a full, unbiased investigation, as his continued stay in office constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe,” the NDC said.

Allegations of Siphoning Public Funds

The NDC accused the Chief of Staff of being connected to the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency has repeatedly denied exists. According to the party, the non-existent agency was allegedly used to divert public funds with the active involvement of Gbajabiamila. “The non-existent agency was allegedly used to siphon public funds, with the active collusion and facilitation by the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila,” the statement read.

The allegations are based on claims made by Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who identifies himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC. According to the NDC, Adeyemi alleged that the agency received allocations in the 2026 budget and operated multiple financial accounts, including domiciliary accounts and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), despite the Presidency reportedly disowning the organisation.

Questions Over Budgetary Allocations and Accounts

The opposition party questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly secure government funding and operate financial accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The NDC finds it deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level financial accounts at the apex bank,” the party stated. “How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?”

The party also questioned claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service approved 314 staff positions for the agency, saying such actions, if confirmed, would raise serious concerns about accountability within government institutions.

Allegations of Bribery and Sale of Appointments

The NDC further referenced explosive allegations by Adeyemi that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, reportedly valued at more than ₦27.3 billion. It also cited allegations that Adeyemi secured his appointment through a ₦600 million payment allegedly facilitated through the Chief of Staff, with ₦400 million said to have been paid through proxies and a balance of ₦200 million outstanding.

“These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders,” the statement said.

Demands for Independent Investigation and Witness Protection

The NDC called for the constitution of an independent investigative panel to examine the legal status of the PFIPC, its budgetary allocation, financial transactions, bank accounts, and personnel approvals. The party also urged authorities to provide Adeyemi with witness protection, citing his claims of surviving multiple assassination attempts, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

The party further referenced the reported death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff. According to the statement, Tanimola died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after a petition by the Chief of Staff was reportedly received by the police. “The panel must also investigate the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola and the assassination attempts on Prince Adeyemi, with a view to uncovering the full truth and bringing perpetrators to justice. Similarly, Adeyemi should immediately be given witness protection privileges,” the statement added.

Broader Concerns Over Governance

The NDC argued that the allegations cast doubt on the transparency and accountability of the Tinubu administration. “The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria,” the party said.

Among its demands, the party urged President Tinubu to suspend Gbajabiamila to allow a transparent and impartial investigation. It also called for forensic examination of official documents and investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigeria Police Force.

The allegations have not been established in court, and Gbajabiamila has not publicly responded to them.