The Acting National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Chief Peter Ameh, on Friday called for a comprehensive investigation into the controversial Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), alleging that its inclusion in the 2026 Appropriation Bill points to a high-level conspiracy within government.
Ameh, in a statement, accused top officials in the Presidency, the National Assembly and other government institutions of complicity in what he described as an unlawful insertion of the agency into the 2026 federal budget.
According to him, the council, listed under the Presidency with budget code 0111062001, was captured in the 2026 budget despite the Budget Office's Call Circular stipulating that submissions were to come only from recognised Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He argued that the budget proposal successfully passed through all statutory stages, including bilateral discussions with the Budget Office, approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), scrutiny by relevant committees of the National Assembly and eventual passage by lawmakers before being transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Ameh maintained that the process could not have been carried out by a single official, alleging that it reflected coordinated actions by several senior government functionaries.
"The involvement of such a high budget allocation through established governmental channels points to what appears to be a criminal conspiracy at the highest levels of governance," he said.
The CUPP chairman further alleged that one of the most troubling aspects of the controversy was the reported opening of a bank account for the agency at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he claimed was facilitated by the Attorney-General of the Federation despite concerns over the legal status of the council.
He also questioned the existence of an official website, pfipc.gov.ng, arguing that it further heightened concerns about the legitimacy of the agency and underscored the need for transparency from the Presidency.
Ameh warned against any attempt to intimidate or silence the Director-General associated with the controversy, insisting that public officials connected with the matter should be subjected to due process rather than political protection.
He also called on the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside to allow for what he described as an independent and credible investigation into allegations linking his office to the council.
"The arrogance of power must stop. Nigerians deserve a government that upholds integrity, transparency and the rule of law," Ameh stated.
The opposition leader urged the National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies and other relevant authorities to immediately commence a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the alleged budget scandal, insisting that those found culpable should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The allegations come amid growing public scrutiny over the inclusion of the controversial council in the 2026 federal budget and renewed calls for greater transparency in the budgeting process.
