The Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria has called for calm and restraint over the controversy surrounding the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, and the alleged involvement of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Splendour Agbonkpolor, and released in Abuja on Monday, the group said the issue should be left to security and anti-corruption agencies to investigate without media trial or political interference.
According to the organization, the OSGF has a constitutional and administrative mandate to coordinate government activities, including Nigeria’s participation in bilateral and multilateral engagements.
“It is standard practice worldwide for government to nominate individuals, professionals, civil society actors, and representatives of organizations to participate in international programmes that align with national policy objectives,” the statement read.
The group referenced the letter inviting Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi to join the Nigerian delegation to the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit, CAFS. It noted that the invitation was issued in the context of “Mr President’s Economic Strategies on the Agenda” and was meant to mobilize stakeholders for economic diplomacy.
The organization stressed that the invitation does not amount to a gazette or legal recognition of PFIPC as a government agency. “An invitation to be part of a delegation cannot and should not be misinterpreted as conferring official status on an organization,” it stated.
On the financial aspect, the group cited reports from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation indicating that the attempt to open a CBN account for PFIPC was inconclusive and that no public funds have been released to the body.
“The fact that an allocation may appear in a budget proposal does not translate to automatic disbursement. Appropriation is followed by warrant, due diligence, and verification. The system, in this instance, appears to have worked,” the statement added.
The Initiative also commended the presidency for referring the matter to the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for investigation and possible prosecution of any persons who may have aided the scheme.
It warned against isolating one administrative action to indict an entire office, describing it as unfair and damaging to institutional morale.
“Public officers must be allowed to perform their duties without fear that routine administrative steps will later be weaponized for political purposes,” the group said. “If PFIPC is determined to be non-existent or fraudulent, the law should take its full course against the promoters, not against the office that was carrying out its coordination function in good faith.”
The organization further noted that engaging citizens and stakeholders in policy implementation is global best practice, and that government’s power to enjoin any citizen to serve as a delegate is a legitimate exercise of state authority.
*Call to Action*
The Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria urged political actors, civil society organizations, and the media to exercise restraint and allow investigations to proceed independently and thoroughly.
It called on the public to focus on facts rather than speculation designed to score political points.
“Nigeria’s progress depends on strong institutions, due process, and unity of purpose. We must protect all three,” the statement concluded.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership.