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President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

This directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the President directed that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.

“The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of government.

“One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

“Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents,” the statement stated.

In addition, President Tinubu has directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.

“The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary, or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled, or participated in the alleged scheme.”

The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.

“All ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records, and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.”

President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity, and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.

The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has confirmed that petrol prices will drop significantly once its members begin purchasing products directly from the Dangote refinery.

Elijah Shettima, IPMAN’s national president, said that direct access to the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery would cut out middlemen and slash distribution costs.

“Our major concern is to ensure that independent marketers can purchase products directly from the Dangote Refinery,” Shettima said.

He added that if imports become necessary, marketers should also be granted the freedom to bring in products independently.

₦125 Already Slashed More to Come

Shettima revealed that IPMAN members have already reduced petrol prices by about ₦125 per litre nationwide and they’re not stopping there.

“We are ready to reduce prices as long as we can maintain reasonable margins and remain profitable. Our goal is to make fuel more affordable for consumers,” he stated.

Could Petrol Hit ₦800 or Below?

When asked if Nigerians could expect petrol at ₦900 per litre, Shettima said the price would depend on procurement costs from depot owners.

But he went further:

“If procurement costs continue to decline, marketers could reduce pump prices further even below ₦800 per litre where market conditions permit.”

A Game-Changer for the Downstream Sector

Shettima described Dangote refinery’s decision to supply independent marketers directly as a major milestone, predicting it would:

· Boost competition
· Lower distribution costs
· Ultimately benefit millions of consumers

He also called on the federal government to continue supporting local refining by creating an enabling environment for existing refineries and encouraging more private investment.

The Bottom Line

With direct Dangote supply on the horizon, Nigerians could soon see petrol prices drop to levels not seen in years. For now, all eyes are on procurement costs and the promise of sub-₦800 fuel.

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The Senate has mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and report back within two weeks to guide the Federal Government on appropriate diplomatic and policy responses.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), during which lawmakers unanimously condemned the attacks that have claimed lives and destroyed properties of many Nigerians.

The debate, which took place on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, became intense as several senators advocated tougher measures against South Africa, with Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) calling on President Bola Tinubu to begin the process of severing diplomatic ties with the country should the attacks continue.

“We can’t pretend those killed are not Nigerians. We are representing Nigerians. When we say caution, what do we mean by that? We can’t be condemning and not doing anything.

“The centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy has to change. Let’s sever relations with South Africa. Enough is enough. Silence is no longer golden,” Senator Ningi said.

He stated that over 1,200 Nigerians were being repatriated from South Africa and argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be reassessed. His prayer was, however, turned down.

Also contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) proposed that Nigeria should appropriate the profits of South African companies operating in the country, including financial institutions, and use them to fund and compensate Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.

“We can’t allow our people to suffer while South African investment and profit are being taken away here; the facts are self-evident. We don’t need further investigation,” the former Edo governor said.

However, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, urged lawmakers to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation.

“Let the committee on foreign affairs investigate first. Nigeria leads Africa. We need to lead by example. Once we have well-informed facts, we can take action. If this report is not satisfactory to this chamber, then we will take the line you were taking,” he said.
Following Barau’s intervention, Senator Ningi agreed to withdraw his proposal for the immediate severance of diplomatic relations but insisted that the Senate records should reflect that the motion had been formally moved and seconded.
At the end of the debate, the Senate directed its committee on foreign affairs to investigate the recurring xenophobic attacks and submit its report within two weeks.

This is to enable the Senate to recommend appropriate actions for the Federal Government in addressing the situation.
FG Threatens Action

Their action followed a renewed wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. A June 30 deadline was issued to undocumented and illegal immigrants by groups in the country.

This has led to protests marked by looting, with several foreigners of African origin killed in the
Since then, several countries in Africa, including Nigeria, have begun the repatriation of their citizens who feel unsafe in South Africa.

On Sunday, the Federal Government warned that it could activate unspecified measures if the attacks and targeting of Nigerians continue.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa, saying the incident occurred at a time when foreigners were increasingly being targeted in South Africa, raising concerns over deliberate attempts to wrongly portray law-abiding Nigerians as criminals.

It placed South Africa on notice, warning that if the situation persists, “all options remain on the table”, with some to be activated if what it described as the country’s “uncultured and provocative trend of intolerance and apartheid-style behaviour against foreigners” is not addressed.

“Therefore, the systematic targeting of Nigerian nationals who are legally residing in South Africa is not acceptable, and their safety should be guaranteed,” the statement read in part.