Adeniyi Adeyemi has insisted that his withdrawal from public view is motivated by fears for his safety and not an attempt to avoid security agencies investigating allegations surrounding his controversial appointment claims.
Adeyemi, who describes himself as the “director-general” of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Responding to questions about his whereabouts, he denied going into hiding and claimed he had received credible information suggesting that his life was under threat.
“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said.
“There have been several attempts on my life,” Adeyemi added.
During the interview, he stood by his earlier allegation that he paid money to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, through an intermediary to facilitate his appointment as head of the council.
Adeyemi also maintained that he secured the funds through borrowing.
“I borrowed the money [₦400 million] for this appointment. In fact, those that I borrowed from have reported to the EFCC,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Adeyemi had called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent panel to investigate the matter, saying he was prepared to defend his claims before any competent authority.
The controversy stems from his allegation that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to complete the appointment process.
Meanwhile, a review of the 2026 Appropriation Bill published by the Budget Office shows an entry under the “Summary by MDAs” for an organisation identified as the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.”
The listed entity, bearing code 0111062001, received a total budgetary allocation of ₦1.303 billion, comprising ₦802.98 million for personnel costs, ₦200 million for overhead expenditure and ₦300 million for capital projects.
Despite the budgetary listing, the Presidency has dismissed claims that the council officially exists.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the PFIPC as a fictitious organisation and accused Adeyemi of falsely presenting himself as its director-general.
“We are aware of the public interest in the matter of a man called Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, who has been parading himself as the director-general of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council,” Onanuga said.
According to him, concerns about the alleged council first surfaced in October 2025 after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission reported that another organisation appeared to be operating in conflict with its statutory responsibilities.
He disclosed that the Chief of Staff subsequently petitioned both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force over allegations involving forged appointment letters and the impersonation of government officials.
Following the public controversy, Gbajabiamila threatened legal action against Adeyemi, while President Tinubu directed that a formal investigation be carried out into the allegations.
Adeyemi, however, said he remains confident that the judicial process would establish the truth.
“If I’m wrong, let the court of law do that, and if I’m right, let the court of law do that; do the right thing,” he said during the television interview.
