Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the government cannot investigate a matter in which it is allegedly involved.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that Nigerians had called for an independent inquiry, not another investigation by an agency under the executive arm of government.
“A government cannot simultaneously be judge and jury in a matter in which it is itself under suspicion,” he said.
The former vice president described the President’s directive as a reluctant response to public pressure but maintained that it exposed contradictions in the Presidency’s handling of the PFIPC controversy.
According to Atiku, if the Police had already completed a thorough investigation and filed charges as previously claimed by the Presidency, there should be no need for another 30-day probe by the ICPC.
“If the Police investigation was comprehensive, another investigation is unnecessary. If another investigation has become necessary, then the inevitable conclusion is that the earlier investigation was insufficient,” he stated.
Atiku called for the immediate establishment of an independent commission of inquiry made up of respected Nigerians drawn from political parties, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), retired judges and other credible stakeholders.
He said the proposed panel should investigate the entire PFIPC controversy, review previous findings, summon relevant public officials where necessary and publish its report directly to Nigerians within one month.
The former vice president also questioned how an organisation the Presidency insists never existed allegedly operated bank accounts, conducted recruitment exercises, interacted with government institutions and sought diplomatic recognition.
“Institutions do not accidentally confer legitimacy… Somewhere between the Presidency’s denials and the appearance of official legitimacy lies the truth Nigerians deserve to know,” he said.
Atiku further argued that transparency requires public officials linked to the controversy to clear their names through an open and independent process.
He maintained that only a credible and impartial investigation would restore public confidence in the handling of the PFIPC scandal.
