Turaki-led PDP seeks probe of alleged funding of “fake” federal agency

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Interim National Working Committee, (INWC), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr Tanimu Turaki has called for an independent forensic investigation into the alleged funding of a “fake” federal agency.
The INWC of the PDP made the call in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong in Abuja.
The committee pushed for an investigation of the alleged involvement of the Chief of Staff to President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, in the matter.
The factional PDP said that the controversy exposes what it described as incompetence, negligence and weak institutional safeguards within the Federal Government.
The party pointed out that the allegations made by Prince Matthew Adeyemi and the Presidency’s response had raised serious concerns about governance and accountability under President Bola Tinubu.
It alleged that the administration was being run “with alarming recklessness, where nepotism and cronyism have displaced merit, and impunity has become standard practice.”
Prince Matthew Adeyemi, the factional PDP noted, had alleged that Gbajabiamila solicited and received financial inducement of N600 million to facilitate his appointment into the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, and later made additional financial demands.
The factional PDP tecalled that the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in responding to the allegations, described Prince Adeyemi as an impostor who fraudulently gained access to government institutions, rather than directly addressing the bribery claims.
It maintained that the Presidency’s explanation raised even more troubling questions about security and administrative controls within the government.
According to statement by Ememobong, “If the Presidency’s account is correct, that Prince Adeyemi is an impostor, then it means the Federal Government is so porous and vulnerable—an admission that the country has been brazenly defrauded because institutional gatekeepers entrusted with protecting our collective patrimony are either grossly incompetent or thoroughly distracted from the responsibilities of governance”.
It added that if Prince Adeyemi’s allegations against the Chief of Staff were true, “then this is yet another act of shameless corruption added to a long and growing queue of unchallenged corrupt officials in this administration.”
The Turaki-led PDP cited what it described as previous administrative lapses, including the appointment of deceased persons into government positions, alleged irregularities in the presidential pardon list and the alleged N800 billion Progressive Governors Forum scandal, saying they reflected “a troubling pattern of institutional failure.
The party wondered how an alleged impostor could have secured office accommodation, staff, budgetary allocations, Central Bank-registered accounts and official dealings with agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and security institutions without detection.
The party therefore called on President Tinubu to order “a forensic investigation of this scandal by a reputable firm of international standing,” suspend all officials connected with the matter pending the outcome of investigations, reorganize the Presidency and issue “an unreserved apology to Nigerians.”Nigerian entertainment updates
“The Presidency owes Nigerians more than explanations; it owes us accountability,” the statement added.
The PDP stated that until the administration demonstrates a willingness to hold public officials accountable, public confidence in government would continue to decline.