The Senate has distanced itself from the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the matter falls entirely within the responsibility of the executive arm of government.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the National Assembly would not intervene in the dispute at this stage and expects the executive to explain how the agency appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an approved budget allocation.
Adaramodu maintained that the controversy originated from within the executive branch and should therefore be addressed and resolved by the same arm of government.
According to him, the Senate has not received any formal petition concerning the existence of the PFIPC or claims by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi that he serves as the agency’s Director-General.
He also noted that lawmakers would be reluctant to become involved in the matter, especially as the dispute has already become the subject of legal proceedings.
The senator rejected suggestions that the National Assembly was responsible for the agency’s inclusion in the budget, stressing that lawmakers neither created the PFIPC nor inserted any budgetary provision on its behalf. He added that it is not the responsibility of the legislature to conduct background checks on individuals appointed by the executive to head government agencies.
Adaramodu explained that the Senate’s role would only come into play if any concerned individual or organisation formally petitions the National Assembly.
“The allegations and counter-allegations over a fake agency and a fake director general are issues within the executive arm and should be addressed there,” he said.
He further described the dispute as one involving the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the individual claiming to be the head of the agency.
The controversy gained national attention after Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, publicly stated that he had no knowledge of either the PFIPC or Prince Adeyemi.
Following the development, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter and submit a report within 30 days
According to the presidency, the investigation is expected to determine how the alleged agency emerged and identify all individuals connected to the matter.
He further described the dispute as one involving the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the individual claiming to be the head of the agency.
