The self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Adeyemi Matthew Adeniyi, has explained how the organisation was eventually captured in the Federal Government’s budget despite his arrest before the appropriation process was concluded.
Adeniyi made the claims in an interview with social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, which was released after his arrest.
During the interview, Adeniyi absolved the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of any involvement in the alleged N1.3 billion budgetary allocation, insisting that he personally lobbied officials at the Budget Office to include the proposed agency in the national budget.
According to him, he approached the Budget Office in December 2024 to seek the agency’s inclusion in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, but was informed that the budget preparation process had already been concluded.
“I went to that Budget Office for the 2025 budget. I submitted the letter and everything that I wanted, but I was told it was already late.
“When the 2025 budget came out and I didn’t see it, they told me it would now be for the 2026 budget. We kept in touch because they said it would be considered later,” he said.
Adeniyi alleged that a female official assisted him in gaining access to the Director-General of the Budget Office, after which he was referred to another senior official.
“She helped me to see the oga. Oga now said, ‘Where is my shini?’ I said I don’t have any shini. He later asked me to meet one director,” he said.
According to him, the director explained that the proposal could no longer be accommodated in the 2025 budget but assured him that efforts would continue toward its inclusion in the 2026 appropriation.
“They were trying for me that maybe they would include it, but unfortunately they said it could not be included in the 2025 budget. They said it would be for 2026,” he stated.
Responding to questions about whether he paid any Budget Office officials, Adeniyi denied offering cash, insisting that he merely promised future employment opportunities if the agency eventually became operational.
“Honestly, I did not pay any money. I didn’t pay anybody. The only thing I promised was that if I started employing people, I could help them with employment opportunities,” he said.
He further stated, “That was the favour I promised them. I did not give anybody money. It was just a promise that if they had people, I could employ them later.”
Adeniyi said the process came to an abrupt end after his arrest, adding that he was surprised to learn later that the agency had been included in the budget.
“Immediately, there was a problem; everything stopped. Even the woman who wanted to help was calling because she couldn’t reach me. I told her to let everything stop.
“I didn’t even know until they said it was inside the budget. I had already left the office. Where would I still pursue the budget when I was already facing court?” he said.
When asked whether Budget Office officials could have inserted the agency into the budget after his arrest, Adeniyi said he had no explanation.
“I don’t know because once that problem started, everything stopped. Why would I still pursue the budget when I was already in trouble?” he said.
Addressing allegations that he paid N400 million to facilitate his appointment, Adeniyi claimed the money was delivered in United States dollars through his late associate, Dolapo Tanimola, although he said he could not confirm whether it eventually reached Gbajabiamila.
When asked the currency in which the money was paid, he replied: “Dollars.”
Asked who received the money, he responded, “Dolapo.”
Adeniyi, however, denied ever meeting the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, before or after his alleged appointment.
According to him, Tanimola handled all communications and acted as the intermediary throughout the process.
“I never met Gbajabiamila physically before and after he was appointed. Dolapo Tanimola handled everything for me,” Adeniyi said.
