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The self-acclaimed Director-General (DG) of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has declared his readiness to cooperate with anti-graft and security agencies following President Bola Tinubu’s probe directive.

Adeyemi, who promised to submit all relevant documents in his possession to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), insisted that an independent investigation is necessary to verify the authenticity of his claims.

Speaking during an Instagram live session with social media influencer Martins Otse (popularly known as VeryDarkMan), Adeyemi welcomed the 30-day investigation deadline handed down by the President.

“I am willing and ready to help security agencies or any panel set up by Mr. President to unravel the truth,” Adeyemi stated. “In fact, any moment from now, I will go to the DSS or the police to submit all the documents I have to help them investigate and look into this matter. They should authenticate them; they should verify them.”

The embattled PFIPC boss challenged the Presidency’s stance that the council is entirely fictitious, raising questions about how it was captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a reported allocation of ₦1.3 billion.

Absolving himself of any manipulation in the fiscal document, Adeyemi revealed that he was in detention for 23 days while the budget process was underway.

“When the Presidency, through the Chief of Staff, said the agency does not exist, I wondered how an agency that found its way into the national budget could suddenly be described as fake,” he argued. “I did not prepare or defend any budget, and nobody went to defend it on my behalf. That is why I am confused about how the agency found its way into the national budget.”

When pressed on his previous allegations implicating the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Adeyemi dialed back his rhetoric, opting to let the upcoming investigation determine the facts.

“I wouldn’t say he’s lying, and I wouldn’t say he’s telling the truth. That is why I requested that Mr. President set up an investigative panel to unravel the truth, so we will know those involved,” he maintained.

He further claimed that his push for the council was born out of patriotism to attract foreign direct investments into Nigeria, alleging that his activities had previously made him a target, including surviving a gunmen attack near Zuma Rock in September 2025.

President Tinubu had earlier ordered the ICPC to thoroughly investigate the PFIPC, following allegations that Adeyemi utilized forged appointment letters and fake government documents to seek diplomatic support, facilitate visas, and open multiple central and commercial bank accounts.

The administration has maintained that the council was never legally established, despite public scrutiny over how the alleged fake agency operated out of the Federal Secretariat and secured a massive budget layout.

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The Presidency has debunked allegations by the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Obi had said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

He said this during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo.

A clip of the interview was shared on Jideonwo’s X handle on Wednesday.

Speaking on the possibility of participating in the 2027 presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges he faces had become so intense that he could not even be certain he would still be alive by then.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Reacting in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s recent claims, including an alleged incident involving his vehicle at an airport and fears about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, were unfounded and lacked credible evidence.

Onanuga described Obi as a “pathological and serial liar,” hellbent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters.

He said: “As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.

“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.

“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.”

The presidential spokesman further stated that the federal government had no interest in targeting Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is said to have a substantial interest, stressing that the financial institution continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms.

Onanuga stressed the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms designed to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians, rather than engaging in political distractions.

He added: “It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms.

“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.

“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.”

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By Gloria Ikibah

Irregular migration across West Africa is expected to remain at persistently high levels for the rest of 2026 despite tougher border controls and increased interception operations.

Assistant Superintendent of Immigration with the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Alkali Jammeh, gave the warning while addressing parliamentarians at the ECOWAS Parliamentary Citizen Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery, held in Banjul from 6 to 10 July.

Jammeh said current trends pointed to sustained migration pressure across the region, fuelled by increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks and continued movement through established migration corridors.

According to him, enforcement efforts have done little to slow the pace of illegal migration during the first six months of the year.

“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.

“Irregular migration remained at a high and sustained level during the first half of 2026 despite intensified border enforcement and interception operations by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID),” he said.

He added that operational intelligence showed, “The Gambia continues to function as both a transit and departure country along the Atlantic migration route.”

Jammeh said data collected during the second quarter revealed a sharp rise in the interception of migrants, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from European countries, particularly Germany and Italy; he also warn that criminal syndicates were adapting quickly.

“In the second quarter, a significant increase in migrant interceptions, voluntary returns from Libya and Tunisia, and deportations from Europe (mainly Germany and Italy) demonstrated that migration pressures remained strong and are becoming increasingly organised.

“Smuggling networks continue to exploit coastal communities, unauthorised border crossings, and regional migration corridors, requiring sustained intelligence-led operations and enhanced regional cooperation,” he said.

He also disclosed that security agencies continue to intercept large groups of migrants, with most coming from neighbouring West African countries.

Jammeh further revealed that a growing number of vulnerable migrants, including Gambians, were being intercepted.

He said migration remained largely male-dominated but observed a gradual increase in female migration, but also raised concerns about the increasing presence of children among migrants, saying it suggested that more families were embarking on dangerous journeys.

“Migration remains predominantly male. Nearly one in five migrants are female. Female migration is becoming more visible in mixed migration flows.

“The presence of children indicates family migration and child protection remains a priority,” he stated.

Providing a breakdown of migrants intercepted, Jammeh said Senegal accounted for the largest share.

“Senegalese nationals form the largest group (842 or 33.7%). The Gambians remain a significant proportion (781 or 31.3%). Guinea (424 or 17.0%) and Mali (383 or 15.3%) continue to contribute to migration flows,” he explained.

“Nearly all migrants originated from ECOWAS Member States,” he said, identifying Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea and Mali as the principal countries of origin.

“The implication suggests that migration trend remains predominantly regional,” he added.

Summing up developments during the second quarter, Jammeh painted a worrying picture of the evolving migration landscape.

“Key observations during Quarter 2: Increase in organised group movements. Continued dominance of ECOWAS migrants. Persistent involvement of Gambian nationals. Growing number of women and children. Continued use of irregular migration routes,” he said.

He also identified weak legal frameworks, inadequate patrol and surveillance equipment, limited operational funding, shortages of fuel for border patrols and the complicity of some local communities as major obstacles to tackling migrant smuggling.

Looking ahead, Jammeh warned that the situation could deteriorate further unless governments across the region strengthen cooperation.

“Current indicators suggest that irregular migration will remain high during the second half of 2026.

“Smuggling networks are likely to continue exploiting coastal departure areas while adapting their methods to evade law enforcement operations.

“Migration flows from Senegal, Guinea and Mali are expected to remain significant, while returns from North Africa and deportations from Europe are likely to continue increasing.

“Without sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering, community engagement and regional cooperation, migrant smuggling activities may become more organised and difficult to disrupt,” he explained.