Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the Presidency’s handling of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, insisting that the Federal Government cannot investigate itself and expect Nigerians to accept the outcome.
Reacting to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s interim report on the matter, Atiku said the findings raise more questions than answers and do not address the core issues surrounding the controversy.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president argued that the report failed to explain how an organisation the Presidency now describes as fictitious allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, engaged with diplomats, recruited hundreds of personnel and reportedly made its way into the 2026 budget.
According to Atiku, these developments could not have occurred without official backing or serious institutional failures, stressing that the scandal extends beyond the actions of any single individual.
He maintained that assigning the investigation to an agency under the same administration whose officials have been linked to the controversy undermines public confidence, insisting that the Presidency cannot absolve itself through an internal process.
The ADC presidential candidate called on the National Assembly to establish an independent and bipartisan investigative panel to uncover the full facts surrounding the PFIPC controversy. He also urged civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders to demand transparency and accountability.
Atiku said Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation of how the alleged agency operated, who authorised its activities, how it gained access to government institutions and whether public funds were committed to its operations, insisting that only an independent probe can restore public trust.
