Senate Rejects Immediate Probe of Controversial PFIPC Budget, Awaits ICPC Report

The Senate on Tuesday declined to immediately investigate the controversial ₦1.3 billion budgetary allocation to the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), opting instead to await the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The decision followed a motion raised by Senator Kawu Sumaila (APC, Kano South), who sought an investigation into how the council, reportedly disowned by the Presidency, found its way into the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation of ₦1.3 billion.

Raising the matter under a point of urgent national importance, Sumaila argued that the inclusion of the agency had raised serious questions about the credibility of Nigeria’s budget preparation and approval process. However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, ruled that the matter was more appropriate as a substantive motion before allowing further deliberations.

Senator Sumaila maintained that despite public statements from the Executive distancing itself from the PFIPC, the agency was listed in the 2026 budget under code 0111062001, with over ₦800 million earmarked for personnel costs, more than ₦200 million for overheads and over ₦300 million for capital expenditure.

According to him, the allocation undermines public confidence in the appropriation process and exposes gaps in legislative oversight.

He urged the Senate to direct its Committees on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as Appropriations, to investigate how the allocation was proposed, scrutinised, approved and whether any funds had already been released or expended.

Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the Presidency had already referred the matter to the ICPC for investigation and that the anti-corruption agency had commenced its work.

He said the Senate would allow the ICPC to conclude its investigation before deciding on any legislative action.

“The Presidency has directed the ICPC to thoroughly investigate how this issue came about. The Commission has already begun its work. It is only proper for the Senate to await the outcome of that investigation before taking any further steps,” Barau stated.

The Senate subsequently declined to proceed with the proposed probe, signaling its intention to rely on the findings of the ICPC before determining whether additional legislative scrutiny or sanctions would be necessary.

The PFIPC controversy has generated widespread public interest following reports that the council received budgetary allocations despite questions surrounding its legal status and official recognition by the Federal Government.

The outcome of the ICPC investigation is expected to determine how the controversial allocation entered the 2026 national budget and whether any public funds were released or utilized.