The Senate has rejected a motion seeking to investigate the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 budget, which saw ₦1.3 billion appropriated for the entity.
The upper chamber reached this decision on Wednesday, following a majority vote against the motion sponsored by Kawu Sumaila (APC, Kano South). Lawmakers decided against a legislative probe, noting that the Presidency has already directed the antigraft body, ICPC, to investigate the matter. The Senate stated that it would await the ICPC findings before deciding on further action.
This decision came 24 hours after Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu defended the National Assembly’s role in the budgetary allocation, insisting that the ₦1.3 billion was neither recommended nor inserted by lawmakers. Mr Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, argued that the National Assembly is not constitutionally responsible for conducting security checks on individuals appointed to head government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The Dissent
During Wednesday’s plenary session, Mr Sumaila challenged the Senate’s position, arguing that the upper chamber could not distance itself from the controversy as it had ultimately appropriated the funds.
