Former presidential candidate and Acting National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, has called for a full-scale investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the allegations as a serious threat to transparency and accountability in government.
In a statement issued on Friday, Ameh alleged that the agency, which he said was listed under the Presidency with budget code 0111062001, was inserted into the 2026 federal budget through official government processes, raising questions about how it secured budgetary approval.
According to him, the 2026 Budget Call Circular was intended for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), yet the council allegedly made its way into the budget proposal, which he claimed was reviewed by the Presidency, approved by the Federal Executive Council, scrutinised by the National Assembly and eventually signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Ameh argued that the sequence of approvals suggested the involvement of multiple senior government officials, describing the development as one that requires an independent and transparent investigation.
He also expressed concern over claims that the Attorney-General of the Federation was allegedly misled into facilitating the opening of a Central Bank of Nigeria account for the council, while noting that the agency operates an official website, a development he said further warrants public clarification.
The CUPP acting national chairman warned against any attempt to use state institutions to suppress those involved in exposing the controversy, insisting that due process and accountability must be allowed to take their course.
Ameh further called on the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to resign to allow what he described as an independent investigation into the allegations, stressing that public officials linked to the matter should step aside while inquiries are conducted.
He urged the National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies and other relevant authorities to launch a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the controversy, maintaining that Nigerians deserve full transparency over the matter.
