By Our Political Correspondent
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (FIPC), describing the matter as one of the most troubling governance issues confronting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, Eze said the Presidency’s reported denial of the existence of the council had raised more questions than it answered, insisting that the circumstances surrounding its alleged operations warranted a comprehensive public investigation.
According to him, if reports that the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council operated as a government agency are accurate, then Nigerians deserve a full explanation of how such an organisation allegedly functioned within the nation’s public service architecture.
He noted that the Presidency, through the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had reportedly distanced the Federal Government from the council, describing it as an unauthorised and non-existent agency.
However, Eze argued that the official denial had only deepened public concern over the matter.
“If the council was never a lawful agency of government, how did it allegedly secure office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, one of the country’s most secured government facilities?” he queried.
He also questioned how the organisation was allegedly able to operate openly over an extended period without attracting the attention or intervention of relevant government authorities.
The ADC chieftain further sought explanations on reports that the council’s promoter, identified as Prince Adeniyi, allegedly held meetings with ministers, ambassadors and other senior government officials, while also reportedly representing Nigeria at diplomatic engagements.
He said it was equally necessary to clarify reports that the individual was received by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and honoured with an award.
“If these reports are accurate, then this issue goes beyond the activities of one individual. It suggests that there may have been official recognition, access and institutional support that enabled the organisation to function,” Eze stated.
He also expressed concern over reports that the council allegedly maintained an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and was provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
According to him, such allegations, if proven, would raise fundamental questions about the processes through which public institutions approve budgetary allocations and authorise the release of public funds.
“If an organisation now described as non-existent was indeed allocated public funds, Nigerians deserve to know who approved the allocation, who processed the documentation, who authorised any releases and whether due process was followed,” he said.
Eze maintained that the alleged activities could not have occurred without the involvement of officials across various ministries, departments and agencies if the claims are eventually substantiated.
He argued that any investigation should not be limited to individuals outside government but should also identify and hold accountable any public officials found to have facilitated or endorsed the alleged operations.
The former nPDP spokesman said the controversy has reinforced growing public concerns about institutional accountability and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within government.
He called on President Tinubu to authorise what he described as an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation into every aspect of the allegations.
According to him, such an investigation should establish the legal status of the alleged council, determine whether public funds were appropriated or released to it, identify all public officials connected with its activities, recover any public funds found to have been improperly obtained and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
“Anything short of a transparent investigation capable of addressing these questions would do little to restore public confidence in government institutions,” he said.
Eze further contended that if the allegations are established, accountability should extend to all public officials involved, irrespective of their positions or political affiliations.
He also argued that if the administration is committed to fighting corruption, appropriate action should be taken against any official found to have played a role in the alleged activities, including those occupying senior government positions.
The ADC chieftain stressed that Nigerians deserve institutions built on transparency, due process and accountability, adding that confidence in governance can only be restored through a credible investigation and full disclosure of the facts surrounding the controversy.
He insisted that all those found culpable, if the allegations are substantiated, should face the full weight of the law in order to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s public institutions.
