Abbas Launches Probe into Controversial Budget Inclusion

On the day of the inauguration, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas established an ad hoc committee to investigate the controversial inclusion of the President's Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 budget, despite the agency not being legally established. This decision arose amid fresh criticisms, particularly regarding the alleged involvement of Adeyemi Adeniyi, who is accused of orchestrating the agency's inclusion in the budget.

The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, will conduct public hearings at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, inviting various stakeholders, including ministers and civil society organizations. The budgetary provision of N1.32 billion for the PFIPC has raised questions, especially following Adeniyi's claim of having paid N100 million to facilitate the agency's establishment.

Concerns have been raised regarding the absence of key figures, including Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, from the committee's invitation list, which some analysts view as undermining the investigation's credibility.