By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The controversy surrounding the alleged appointment of Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew as Director-General of a purported “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) has raised sharp questions about the legitimacy of public officials and the transparency of government agencies.
In response, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has urged the Federal Government to launch a publicly accessible verification system for federal appointments, arguing that the incident exposed severe gaps in institutional oversight and accountability.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Convener Yunusa Z. Ya’u and Co-Conveners Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, the coalition asserted that citizens must have a reliable way to verify the legal status of public institutions, vacancies, hiring procedures, and the credentials of public officers.
The group said the controversy involving the Adeniyi’s appointment had raised fundamental questions about transparency, due diligence and accountability in Nigeria’s public appointment process.
The Situation Room said media reports indicating that the Presidential Economic Advisory Council received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget and claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation posted staff to the alleged agency require credible clarification.
It questioned how an appropriation could have been made to an agency the government said it does not exist.
“How did the President assent to an appropriation bill that a non-existent agency is inserted, and more provisions for it?”
The coalition said the controversy had exposed troubling vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s public governance architecture and raised questions that deserve credible and independent answers.
“These are questions that cannot be settled through competing press statements or social media narratives. They require a transparent investigation conducted by competent institutions”.
The group maintained that the credibility of public institutions depends not merely on official denials but on the willingness of the government to subject itself to scrutiny, noting that in a constitutional democracy, accountability is strengthened not weakened by independent investigation.
The Situation Room demanded for the immediate suspension of anyone linked to the purported agency and the “fake” appointment pending the outcome of investigations.
“An independent, thorough and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the appointment letters and interactions with government institutions is required.”
The coalition further called on all public officials, agencies and individuals with relevant information or documentation to cooperate with the investigation.
“We want public release of the investigation’s findings subject only to legitimate legal limitations, and the prosecution of anyone found guilty of forgery, impersonation, fraud, abuse of office or related offences regardless of status or political affiliation,” it said.
“We want the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of appointment processes, official communication channels and institutional verification mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences.”
According to the Situation Room, the development underscores the urgent need for greater public access to information on federal appointments to strengthen institutional transparency and restore public confidence in governance.
It cautioned against prejudging any individual, noting that due process must be allowed to take its course.
“Official denials should not substitute for credible investigations where significant public interest questions remain unresolved”.
Persecondnews recalls that the controversy erupted after Adeniyi claimed he had been appointed Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency insists does not exist.
The Presidency also distanced the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the alleged scam appointments and described the principal accuser as an impostor facing criminal prosecution, even as questions continue over reports linking the alleged agency to the 2026 budget and claims that staff were posted to it.
Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had on Monday announced the arrests of Adeniyi’s father and visiting family friend by the police at their Ogbomoso home in Oyo State after Adeniyi had gone into hiding.
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