Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying he could not have been involved in the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike reacted to allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed that Gbajabiamila was aware of the activities of the controversial council, which the Presidency has described as fictitious.
President Tinubu has already directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter, while Adeyemi is currently facing trial over alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences.
Rejecting calls by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for opposition parties to monitor the investigation, Wike expressed confidence in the integrity of the Chief of Staff.
“The demand by Atiku is rubbish. Without any prejudice, I know the Chief of Staff very, very well. He did not,” Wike said.
He argued that top government officials are often targeted by individuals seeking to embarrass the administration.
“If you want to embarrass any government, these are the targets first. Chief of Staff is seen as someone who, if we get to him, the government will be embarrassed,” he added.
Wike also questioned why Adeyemi had allegedly gone out of public view after making the allegations, insisting that anyone with genuine evidence should cooperate with investigators instead of avoiding scrutiny.
The minister recalled facing similar accusations after assuming office as FCT minister, including claims that one of his sons collected $2 million to facilitate a land allocation in Abuja. He said security investigations later proved the allegation to be false after travel records showed his son was outside the country when the alleged transaction supposedly occurred.
According to Wike, he rejected suggestions to quietly settle the matter, insisting he would never bow to blackmail.
The PFIPC controversy has attracted nationwide attention after the Presidency declared the council non-existent and ordered an investigation into its activities.
Source: FCT Minister’s Monthly Media Chat
