Adeyemi denies hiding, says he borrowed N400m to secure PFIPC appointment

Adeniyi Adeyemi has said his withdrawal from public view was due to alleged threats to his life, denying suggestions that he was hiding from law enforcement agencies amid controversy over the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Adeyemi, who claims to be the director-general of the council, spoke on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said.

“There have been several attempts on my life,” Adeyemi added.

He also maintained his allegation that he paid N400 million through a proxy to Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, to secure his appointment as director-general of the disputed council.

Asked how he raised the money, Adeyemi claimed that he borrowed it.

“I borrowed the money [N400 million] for this appointment. In fact, those that I borrowed from have reported to the EFCC,” he said.

Adeyemi spoke hours after calling on President Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the controversy, insisting that he was ready to defend his claims.

The controversy followed his allegations that Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy and demanded an additional N200 million to facilitate the appointment.

However, the Presidency has denied the existence of the PFIPC and described the council as fictitious.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said concerns over the alleged council emerged in October 2025 after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission complained about another body allegedly operating at cross-purposes with it.

According to Onanuga, Gbajabiamila subsequently petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force over alleged forged appointment letters and the activities of individuals accused of impersonating government officials.

The controversy has since prompted Gbajabiamila to threaten legal action against Adeyemi, while Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, the published 2026 Appropriation Bill lists an entity described as the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” with an allocation of N1.303 billion.

Adeyemi maintained that he was prepared to submit himself to judicial scrutiny.

“If I’m wrong, let the court of law do that, and if I’m right, let the court of law do that; do the right thing,” he said.