Atiku fires four tough questions at Tinubu over alleged ghost agency scandal.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally respond to four key questions arising from the controversy surrounding the alleged “ghost” Federal Government agency linked to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and involving the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Atiku said the Presidency’s statement disowning Adeyemi and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) was insufficient, arguing that the matter has raised serious concerns about access to government, budgetary processes, official recognition, and accountability within the Tinubu administration.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had on Wednesday described Adeyemi and the PFIPC as fraudulent, maintaining that the council is not a recognised Federal Government agency.
Reacting to the development, Atiku insisted that Nigerians deserve more than a simple disclaimer. He argued that the issue has gone beyond ordinary impersonation because the alleged agency reportedly operated openly, interacted with senior government officials, and was allegedly connected to the 2026 national budget.
According to Atiku, the first question President Tinubu must answer is how an alleged unknown individual was able to establish and operate what appeared to be a Federal Government agency within official government circles without detection.
He said it was disturbing that an organisation now described as fake could allegedly have operated from the Federal Secretariat, a major government facility under official supervision.
The second question, Atiku said, concerns how the alleged agency reportedly obtained a budgetary code and received an allocation of N1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget.
He maintained that if the claim is not properly explained, it could expose deeper weaknesses in Nigeria’s budget preparation and approval system.
The former Vice President said the third question is how Adeyemi, despite now being labelled a fraudster by the Presidency, reportedly gained access to senior government officials, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede.
He added that reports indicating Adeyemi also met with traditional rulers, diplomats, and prospective investors make it difficult for the government to dismiss the matter as the action of a lone individual.
According to Atiku, the fourth question is why the Presidency’s statement failed to directly address allegations that Adeyemi claimed to have paid N400 million in connection with access or appointments, including claims involving Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
He said Gbajabiamila and other public officials whose names have surfaced in the controversy should welcome a transparent investigation to clear the air.
Atiku also expressed concern over the reported death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, who was alleged to have acted as an intermediary in the matter, saying the circumstances surrounding the death should form part of a comprehensive investigation.
He warned that the Tinubu administration must not allow the controversy to become another unresolved government scandal.
The former Vice President called for an independent forensic investigation into the matter, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know how the alleged PFIPC was created, how it operated, who enabled it, and whether any public officials failed in their responsibilities.
According to Atiku, public confidence can only be sustained when government officials are willing to answer difficult questions, especially when allegations involve the Presidency, the legislature, and the national budget process.
He further urged authorities to ensure that Adeyemi’s case is handled swiftly and transparently, while all public officials who had dealings with the alleged agency should be invited to explain their roles.
Atiku added that resolving the matter before the 2027 general election is necessary to prevent further erosion of public trust in Nigeria’s institutions.