*Atiku queries ₦6.44bn 2026 World Cup budget as PFIPC scandal widens*

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, scandal, alleging attempts by the Bola Tinubu administration to shield those who should be held accountable.

Atiku, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the recent arrest of the self-styled Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, was insufficient to resolve the controversy.

“The scandal is not merely that one man allegedly impersonated public authority. The greater question is how such an organisation allegedly gained access to government institutions and operated with apparent official recognition,” he said.

According to Atiku, the central issues include how an organisation the Presidency reportedly described as non-existent secured diplomatic recognition, recruited hundreds of personnel, obtained office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, and was allegedly captured in the national budget.

*₦6.44bn World Cup allocation raises questions*  

The former Vice President also linked the PFIPC controversy to provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Act, specifically an allocation of ₦6.44 billion for a “Special Presidential Support Group for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.”

He questioned the rationale for the provision, noting that Nigeria had been eliminated from the qualification race months before the budget was presented.

“How does a government budget ₦6.44 billion for World Cup qualifiers after Nigeria had already been eliminated? Who inserted the provision, who approved it, and what was the intended purpose of the allocation?” Atiku queried.

He said the provision raised concerns about transparency, fiscal discipline and the integrity of the federal budgeting process.

*Call for independent probe*  

The statement referenced allegations by Adeyemi, including claims that he paid about ₦400 million in bribes to secure his position and mentioned senior government officials. Atiku stressed that the allegations remain unproven and should be subjected to an independent, transparent and impartial investigation.

He expressed reservations about the Federal Government’s decision to have the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, investigate the matter, arguing that a probe by agencies under the executive may not inspire public confidence.

Atiku also raised concerns over alleged attempts to influence public perception of the controversy while legal proceedings are ongoing.

He called on the National Assembly to constitute a bipartisan panel to investigate every aspect of the PFIPC controversy. He further appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to support a transparent process.

“Nigerians deserve to know who authorised the PFIPC, how it allegedly gained access to government institutions, who facilitated its operations and whether public funds were allocated to it. The country deserves a credible investigation that establishes the facts and strengthens public confidence in governance,” Atiku said.