Fresh documents have emerged showing that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, approved the disowned Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, to attend the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit, CAFS, in August 2025.
This came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for dragging Nigeria to a point where scandals were no longer viewed as isolated incidents but recurring features of governance.
This is even as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, also on Sunday urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over N1.3 billion (N1,302,978,784) to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The presidency had alleged that Mr Adeyemi concocted letters and claims, insisting that the council never existed.
It also asked investigators from the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to identify and prosecute those within government institutions who allegedly assisted Adeniyi in carrying out the scheme.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the alleged PFIPC intensified yesterday as a document obtained by Vanguard showed that the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, had approved a trip for Mr Adeyemi to attend a Fintech summit in Canada.
The latest development has further escalated the dispute involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi.
The new document showed that the embattled PFIPC DG was given the nod by the SGF’s office to attend the Fintech summit in Canada from August3-8, 2025.
The document, signed by Engr. Gagare, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, showed that the embattled PFIPC DG was directed by the OSGF to register and involve other stakeholders in the programme.
The document read: “In accordance with Mr President’s Economic Strategies on the Agenda. I invite you to participate in and join the Nigerian delegation to Canada from August 3rd to 8th, 2025.
“The CAFS Summit highlights strategic roles in Digital Finance and Technology among stakeholders worldwide.
‘’This initiative will significantly contribute to shaping our economic vision, advancing development priorities, strengthening economic ties, fostering bilateral trade relations, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to benefit the Nigerian economy.
“Given the above, you are urgently requested to register and involve other stakeholders in the programme. Your experience, technical support, and presence will strengthen this delegation.
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“For more information and details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, and the CAFS Organising Group. Accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.’’
Troubling pattern of scandals now too frequent — Atiku
Reacting to the development on Sunday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar slammed the President Bola Tinubu administration for dragging Nigeria to a point where scandals are no longer viewed as isolated incidents but as recurring features of governance.
The former Vice President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, challenged the president to make full disclosure of his age, educational and family background, issues, he said, had been subject of litigations for years.
He said: “Nigeria has sadly arrived at that point. The issue is no longer one scandal or another. The issue is the pattern. And when scandals become a pattern of governance, the inevitable conclusion is this: you are no longer managing scandals; you have become the scandal itself.
“Investigations were announced, recoveries publicised, and assurances given, yet Nigerians are still waiting for a comprehensive public account of what transpired, who was held responsible, and what institutional safeguards were erected to prevent a recurrence.
“From unresolved questions surrounding the Humanitarian Affairs scandal to allegations of crude oil theft and illegal tanker releases that faded without publicly released investigative reports, to concerns raised over alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget.
‘’From the absence of a comprehensive forensic explanation, to the billions reportedly expended on refinery rehabilitation while public refineries remain largely dysfunctional, to procurement controversies involving major infrastructure projects.
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‘’From recurring concerns over opaque contract awards, missing procurement records and appointments of persons linked to unresolved allegations, Nigerians have watched a familiar and deeply troubling pattern unfold. The pattern itself has become the scandal.”
