By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow an unhindered investigation into allegations surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The rights group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, described the controversy as a major test of the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

HURIWA said what started as a dispute over the existence of the PFIPC had escalated into a national controversy involving conflicting claims about the council’s legal status, its appearance in the 2026 national budget and serious allegations levelled against Gbajabiamila.

“The allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi are too serious to be dismissed with press statements, political spin or administrative denials,” the group said.

It added: "Nigerians have been confronted with disturbing claims involving alleged bribery, disputed appointments, budgetary allocations running into billions of naira, alleged government recognition of an agency publicly disowned by the Presidency, and questions regarding official engagements allegedly undertaken on behalf of the disputed council.”

The group also questioned how the PFIPC allegedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite claims by the Presidency that the council did not exist.

“Even more troubling is the fact that documents and reports in the public domain appear to show that the PFIPC was captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act with substantial budgetary provisions. If the agency truly does not exist, then Nigerians deserve to know how a supposedly non-existent body found its way into the national budget after passing through multiple layers of executive scrutiny, legislative consideration and presidential approval,” HURIWA stated.

According to the organisation, the investigation should determine whether the PFIPC was lawfully established, how it was included in the national budget, whether public funds were appropriated or released to it, whether any public officials benefited financially from its operations, and the authenticity of documents, appointments and alleged financial transactions linked to the council.

HURIWA insisted that Gbajabiamila should step aside or be suspended while the probe lasts to preserve public confidence in the process.

“To guarantee public confidence in the process, HURIWA insists that the Chief of Staff should step aside or be suspended for the duration of the investigation,” it said.

The group argued that retaining such a senior official in office during an investigation could create the perception of undue influence and undermine confidence in whatever outcome emerges.

It further urged President Tinubu to demonstrate that his administration’s anti-corruption campaign was not selective.

“The President now faces a defining moment. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that the anti-corruption fight is not selective and that no public official is too powerful to answer legitimate questions,” HURIWA said.

The organisation warned that continued silence over the controversy could further erode public confidence in government institutions.

“The President must act swiftly and decisively. The EFCC must investigate without fear or favour. The truth must be established wherever it leads,” the statement added.