By Ambrose Amos
Recent corruption allegations have cast doubt over President Tinubu's administration following a press conference by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, where he made serious accusations against Femi Gbajabiamila.
During the briefing, Prince Adeyemi accused the COS of suspicious dealings involving two disputed organizations, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
Gbajabiamila previously denied these organizations' existence, stating that the Presidency does not recognize Prince Adeyemi’s alleged appointments. However, Adeyemi challenged this, claiming evidence shows otherwise. He said both organizations are listed on pages 50 and 51 of the 2026 Appropriation Act and that they maintain accounts with the CBN, including dollar and pound sterling accounts.
He questioned how agencies he described as “non-existent” could have budgets, office space in the Federal Secretariat, and approval to hire 314 staff members.
These claims raise serious questions about the government’s administrative and budget processes. Since the national budget passes through multiple review stages from relevant ministries and agencies to the Budget Office, the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, and finally the presidential approval, Adeyemi argued that if these agencies are indeed unauthorized, it exposes systemic flaws and undermines oversight by senior officials.
Adeyemi also made serious allegations about the agencies' funding. He claimed the Chief of Staff demanded 48 percent of the agencies’ initial grants, worth over ₦27 billion. He said he refused, after which ₦400 million was allegedly paid through a proxy, with another ₦200 million still outstanding. If true, these claims would deepen the ongoing corruption allegations against the current government.
Other claims include the appointment of the current Executive Secretary of TETFund, with allegations that ₦70 billion was demanded by the COS, with ₦10 billion paid upfront before the appointment was made. There are also claims tying the Chief of Staff to being the custodian of campaign funds ahead of the 2027 elections.
Additionally, there are reports involving former Zamfara State Governor AbdulAziz Yari, accused of accepting kickbacks from extra-budgetary funds distributed to state governments. Reports say billions of naira were taken by APC governors, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said to control more than ₦800 billion of these funds. The COS was reportedly involved as an intermediary in all these.
Adeyemi also raised troubling security concerns. He alleged that Babatunde Tanimola, an intermediary, died mysteriously in a hotel fire in Utako, Abuja, shortly after a related petition was submitted. He further claimed to have survived an assassination attempt on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, during which crucial documents and phones were lost. These incidents suggest a pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing sensitive information.
In all, these allegations extend beyond personal disputes. They raise broader issues about transparency, accountability, and governance under Tinubu’s leadership. While unproven, the allegations are serious enough to warrant a thorough, unbiased, and independent investigation.
There is a need to establish an independent commission comprising law enforcement, cso’s, and credible international observers to examine these claims regarding the agencies, budget approvals, financial demands, extra-budgetary funds, and threats.
At the end, uncovering the truth requires a transparent investigation. All documents, bank records, budget details, and relevant evidence should be scrutinized openly. Those accused deserve a full opportunity to respond. However, anyone officially linked to these claims should step aside during the investigation to maintain public Trust and confidence. Nigerians deserve full accountability.
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