The self-acclaimed Director General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has said he never physically met the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his purported appointment, saying he could not confirm whether the presidential aide was involved in the controversy surrounding the organisation.
Adeyemi spoke on Tuesday during an interview with social media influencer VeryDarkMan, hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the PFIPC controversy and submit its findings within 30 days.
The Presidency had, in June, distanced itself from the PFIPC and Adeyemi, insisting that the organisation does not exist under the current administration.
Gbajabiamila had also issued a statement denying appointing Adeyemi to any position in the organisation. However, at a press conference on June 26, Adeyemi questioned the Chief of Staff’s June 11 disclaimer.
The latest development also comes a day after Gbajabiamila threatened Adeyemi with a N10bn defamation suit over allegations of murder and bribery allegedly made against him.
Speaking during the interview, Adeyemi said he had neither met Gbajabiamila before nor after his alleged appointment, adding that all communications were facilitated by his late associate, Dolapo Tanimola.
“I would not say he is lying, and I won’t say he is saying the truth. That is why I requested at my press conference and pleaded with Mr. President to set up an investigative panel to look into this whole issue and unravel the truth to know who is involved,” he said.
“I think three times I have spoken with Gbajabiamila through my late friend, Dolapo Tanimola.”
When asked whether the conversations were held through video calls, Adeyemi replied, “No, it was not on a video call.”
He further maintained that he had documentary evidence to support all the claims and allegations surrounding his purported appointment.
“I am willing and ready to help security agencies or the panel by Mr. President to unravel the truth. In fact, any moment from now, I will go to the DSS or police to submit all the documents I have to help them investigate and look into this matter,” he said.
He added, “I will go, any moment from now. I will go to authenticate and verify my documents and unravel the truth.”
