‘Key suspects must step aside’ — Atiku’s aide reacts to Tinubu’s ICPC directive

Paul Ibe, media aide to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate the alleged activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC.

The remarks were contained in a statement posted on Ibe’s official page on July 7, 2026.

Ibe argued that the President should have directed key officials allegedly linked to the matter, including his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

“It is flagrantly wrong for President Bola Tinubu to order the ICPC to investigate the so-called ‘fake’ agency… without asking the key suspects, including his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to go on suspension pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Ibe said.

He further alleged that allowing those involved to remain in office while the investigation is ongoing could enable them to interfere with the investigative process.