Senate rejects fresh probe into controversial PFIPC

The Senate on Wednesday declined to launch a comprehensive investigation into the budgetary allocation, operations and controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), opting instead to allow the ongoing executive investigation to continue.

The proposed probe was initiated by Senator Suleiman Kawu (APC, Kano South), who raised a point of order during plenary under Order 9 and Rule 9(c) of the Senate Standing Orders (2026).

Presenting a motion titled “Urgent Need to Investigate the Budgetary Allocation, Operations, and Controversy Surrounding the Purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) to Safeguard the Integrity of the Senate and the Federal Government,” Kawu argued that the allegations surrounding the council pose a threat to the credibility of the National Assembly and its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

According to the lawmaker, recent public controversies over the PFIPC have raised serious concerns about how the body allegedly found its way into the 2026 Appropriation Act despite questions over its legal existence.

> “The Senate notes with concern that, in recent weeks, the public space has been inundated with allegations, controversies, accusations and counter-accusations concerning an entity known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC),” he said.

Kawu urged the Senate to condemn what he described as administrative lapses, internal collaboration or fraudulent activities that allegedly enabled the inclusion of the PFIPC under Budget Code 0111062001 in the 2026 national budget.

He also called for a joint investigation by the Senate Committees on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, and Appropriations to determine:

How ₦1.302 billion was proposed, scrutinised and approved for the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The ministries, departments, agencies and public officials involved in facilitating the council’s inclusion in the budget.

Whether any funds had been released, committed or spent under the budget line.

Whether any bank accounts had been opened or operated in connection with the allocation.

However, immediately after the motion was presented, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, advised against debating the matter.

Barau noted that President Bola Tinubu had already directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversy.

He urged senators to allow the executive-led investigation to run its course, effectively shutting down calls for a separate legislative probe.

The Senate subsequently declined to proceed with the proposed investigation.