African Democratic Congress rejects ICPC probe into PFIPC scandal, demands judicial panel

The African Democratic Congress ADC has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC to investigate the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council PFIPC scandal. The party insists that only an independent judicial panel can conduct a credible probe. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC welcomed the President’s decision to order an investigation but argued that assigning the probe to the ICPC, an agency under the Executive, could undermine public confidence. The ADC stated that an independent judicial panel is necessary to provide answers to the questions raised by the scandal. The PFIPC sparked controversy after appearing as a beneficiary in the 2026 Appropriation Act, despite the Presidency stating no such agency exists. The controversy intensified when Adeniyi Adeyemi, presenting himself as the council's Director-General, accused Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of corruption. The Presidency disowned Adeyemi, calling him a fraud, a claim he refuted. President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the council's insertion into the budget and identify and prosecute those responsible, with findings due in 30 days. The ADC also called for the President to direct his Chief of Staff to go on leave if the investigation involves officials connected to the Presidency, to avoid the impression of shielding a key party. The party fu