The Transformative Governance Forum (TGF) has cautioned against mounting calls for the resignation of the Chief of Staff to the President over the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, describing such demands as premature and constitutionally unsound.
In a statement issued on July 4 in Abuja, the Forum argued that while the controversy has sparked legitimate public concern, accountability must follow due process rather than public pressure. The group stressed that a “loud consensus is not the same thing as a correct one,” warning that removing a public official based on allegations alone could undermine democratic principles.
Issued by the Strategic Communications Directorate of the Transformative Governance Forum, the statement detailed that the accused, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, allegedly forged an appointment letter bearing the name of Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, using it to create a fictitious government agency, open multiple bank accounts, and secure a budget allocation of about ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
According to TGF, the suspect is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court on charges including forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretence, with key government officials expected to testify as proceedings advance.
The Forum acknowledged that prominent figures and groups, including opposition parties and legal experts, have called for an independent probe and, in some cases, the Chief of Staff’s resignation. However, it maintained that such calls, though valid in a democracy, must not override the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
TGF argued that the unfolding case reflects a broader institutional vulnerability rather than direct complicity at the highest levels of government. It noted that the fraudulent scheme was eventually uncovered by relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which raised the alarm to senior authorities.
Describing this as evidence of a system capable of self-correction, the Forum commended officials who identified the irregularities, insisting that their actions demonstrate that internal safeguards, though imperfect, remain functional.
The group further highlighted that reliance on official correspondence in government processes makes such systems susceptible to forgery, especially in the absence of robust digital verification mechanisms. It called for reforms, including the adoption of secure digital authentication systems and the establishment of a central registry of federal agencies to prevent similar occurrences.
On the legal front, TGF emphasized that the Chief of Staff is, based on available information, the complainant who reported the matter to security agencies prior to its public exposure. It warned that forcing his resignation before a judicial determination would set a dangerous precedent where allegations alone could dictate public office removals.
The Forum also urged the National Assembly to examine its role in the approval of the 2026 budget, questioning how a non-existent agency secured funding. It called for a transparent review of appropriation processes to address potential systemic lapses.
READ ALSO: LAWMA Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Dumping, Expands Operation Deep Clean in Lagos
BAO2BAO: … and God answered! – (2)
While acknowledging that the administration still has questions to answer, TGF maintained that reforms—not scapegoating—should be the priority. It stressed that strengthening verification systems across government institutions would be more effective than reacting to public outrage.
The Forum concluded that the PFIPC case represents a critical test of Nigeria’s institutional resilience, urging patience as the judiciary establishes the facts. It reaffirmed its support for transparency and due process, stating that justice must be guided by evidence rather than sentiment.
About The Author
