Senate Defers Action on Controversial PFIPC Budget Allocation, Awaits ICPC Report
Senate Defers Action on Controversial PFIPC Budget Allocation, Awaits ICPC Report
The Senate on Wednesday declined to initiate an investigation into the inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act, opting instead to await the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila (APC–Kano), who sought a probe into how the PFIPC secured a budgetary allocation of ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget despite reports that the agency had been disowned by the Presidency.
Raising the matter under urgent national importance, Sumaila had only begun presenting his motion when Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC–Kano), who presided over plenary, interrupted him, noting that the issue should have been brought before the chamber as a substantive motion.
In his presentation, Sumaila argued that the controversy surrounding the PFIPC had raised serious concerns about the credibility and integrity of the nation’s budget process.
He said the agency, despite being publicly disowned by the executive, was listed under budget code 0111062001 in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a total allocation of ₦1.3 billion.
According to the lawmaker, the allocation includes more than ₦800 million for personnel costs, over ₦200 million for overhead expenses and more than ₦300 million for capital projects.
Sumaila maintained that the inclusion of what he described as a non-existent agency in the national budget undermined public confidence in the appropriation process and exposed gaps in legislative oversight.
He urged the Senate to direct its Committees on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as Appropriations, to investigate how the allocation was proposed, scrutinised, justified and eventually approved.
The senator also called for an inquiry into whether any funds had been released, committed or spent under the budget line and whether any bank account had been opened or operated in connection with the allocation.
Responding, Barau informed lawmakers that the Presidency had already directed the ICPC to investigate the matter and that the anti-graft agency had commenced its probe.
He said the Senate would await the commission’s findings before determining its next line of action.
“The Presidency has already directed the ICPC to investigate fully how this matter came to be.
Since the investigation has commenced, it is appropriate for the Senate to await the outcome of the report before taking any further action,” Barau said.
