Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying a transparent public inquiry is necessary to establish the facts. In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Thursday, he argued that the matter raises accountability concerns that require more than official explanations.

The call follows a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who described the PFIPC as a non-existent Federal Government agency and identified Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the organisation as fraudulent. However, Atiku’s media office questioned how an agency described as a “ghost” organisation was allegedly able to operate without attracting earlier official scrutiny.

According to the statement, questions remain over reports that the alleged organisation functioned from the Federal Secretariat under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It also cited claims that the PFIPC obtained a budget code and a proposed allocation of ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 national budget, urging authorities to conduct a forensic investigation into the allegations.

The statement further referred to reports that Prince Adeyemi held meetings with senior public officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, as well as diplomats, traditional rulers and prospective investors. According to Atiku’s media office, those reported engagements warrant a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the case.

The former vice president also called on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other officials mentioned in connection with the controversy to publicly clarify their roles. In addition, the statement said allegations that Prince Adeyemi claimed to have paid ₦400 million in bribes to the Chief of Staff should be independently investigated, arguing that a formal inquiry would provide greater public confidence than official statements alone.

Atiku’s media office maintained that a thorough judicial process should determine the facts and responsibilities of all those involved. It said resolving the controversy transparently before the 2027 general elections would help strengthen public trust in government institutions and reinforce confidence in the country’s democratic process.