Senate Rejects Call For Probe Into Alleged ₦1.3bn PFIPC Budget Scandal

According to reports, the move was initiated by Senator Suleiman Kawu, representing Kano South, who raised the matter during plenary under the Senate Standing Orders.

Kawu presented a motion titled, “Urgent Need to Investigate the Budgetary Allocation, Operations, and Controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) to safeguard the Integrity of the Senate and the Federal Government.”

The senator expressed concerns that the controversy surrounding the council could affect the reputation of the Senate, the credibility of the National Assembly and its constitutional responsibility over appropriation and oversight.

He noted that allegations and counter-allegations had recently emerged regarding the existence and inclusion of the PFIPC under Budget Code 0111062001 in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Kawu called for an investigation into how the alleged entity was included in the national budget, urging relevant Senate committees to examine the circumstances surrounding the approval of the proposed allocation of ₦1,302,978,784.

He also requested that the probe determine whether any government agency, public official or individual played a role in facilitating the recognition and inclusion of the PFIPC in the budget.

Additionally, the lawmaker sought clarification on whether any funds had been released, utilised or committed under the budget line, as well as whether any financial accounts had been created for the allocation.

However, after the motion was presented, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, ruled that the matter would not be debated.

Barau explained that the issue was already being addressed by the executive arm of government following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.

He advised the Senate to await the outcome of the ongoing investigation before considering any further legislative action.