By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s directive assigning the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, insisting that only an independent judicial panel can conduct a credible inquiry.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that the Presidency lacked the credibility to supervise an investigation into a scandal in which it was allegedly implicated.
The ADC said it had earlier called for an independent inquiry into the controversy and identified institutions that should be investigated, maintaining that the matter should not be reduced to the alleged actions of a single individual.
According to the party, while President Tinubu’s decision to order an investigation reflected acceptance that the allegations required scrutiny, assigning the task to the ICPC created the impression that the administration intended to conduct an “in-house” investigation.
“The Presidency that is at the heart of this scandal cannot be a judge in its own case,” the statement said.
The party urged the President to establish an independent judicial panel comprising respected Nigerians to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation capable of restoring public confidence.
The ADC also faulted what it described as the Presidency’s premature conclusion that appointment letters and official documents allegedly used by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi were forged, even before investigations had commenced.
It argued that determining the authenticity of the documents was one of the key issues investigators were expected to establish and warned that official pronouncements could prejudice the outcome of the inquiry.
The party further demanded that the investigation extend to all relevant government institutions, including the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
It called on the President to direct the Chief of Staff to proceed on leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, arguing that allowing him to remain in office could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the probe.
The ADC also insisted that the findings of any investigation should be made public in full, saying Nigerians deserved access to the complete, unredacted report and the implementation of its recommendations without fear or favour.
The party condemned the reported arrest of Adeyemi’s father, describing the action as intimidation and contrary to the principles of justice.
It argued that Nigerian law does not recognise vicarious criminal liability and maintained that only persons directly suspected of committing offences should be arrested.
According to the ADC, arresting relatives while public officials allegedly linked to the matter remained in office would reinforce perceptions of selective justice.
The party said it would continue to monitor developments surrounding the PFIPC controversy, describing the matter as one with significant implications for national security and the credibility of public institutions.
It warned that the allegations must be thoroughly investigated and not be swept aside through what it called an internal government process.
