Atiku Demands Independent Probe of N6.44bn World Cup Budget, PFIPC Controversy

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for an independent investigation into a ₦6.44 billion allocation in the 2026 federal budget for a “Special Presidential Support Group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers,” questioning why such funding was approved after Nigeria had already failed to qualify for the tournament.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the budgetary provision as evidence of what he termed serious flaws in the federal budgeting process.

‎Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reportedly ended in November 2025, about a month before the 2026 Appropriation Bill was presented to the National Assembly.

‎Questioning the rationale behind the allocation, Atiku asked who inserted the provision into the budget, who approved it, and who was expected to benefit from an expenditure tied to a qualification campaign that had already ended.

‎He argued that the allocation reinforced concerns about fiscal transparency, alleging that the national budget had become a vehicle for wasteful and questionable spending without clear public benefit.

‎The former Vice President also linked the controversy to the ongoing debate surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), claiming the Tinubu administration was attempting to shift attention from the issues raised by focusing on the arrest of the council’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.

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‎According to Atiku, the recent arrest of Adeyemi appeared to be part of an effort to shape public perception of the controversy rather than establish the full facts surrounding the alleged operations of the organisation.

‎He maintained that the PFIPC issue extended beyond the actions of one individual, noting that the organisation allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, recruited more than 300 personnel, obtained diplomatic recognition and accreditation, and was reportedly captured in the 2026 budget with an alleged ₦1.3 billion allocation.

‎Atiku argued that such developments could not have occurred without either official collaboration or significant failures in government oversight.

‎He further accused the administration of attempting to manage the narrative surrounding the controversy, insisting that government officials mentioned in the matter could not impartially investigate themselves.

‎The ADC flag bearer renewed his call for an independent and transparent investigation, urging the National Assembly to establish a bipartisan panel to examine every aspect of the PFIPC controversy.

He also appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders to support an independent probe, warning against any attempt to influence ongoing judicial proceedings or undermine public accountability.

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Atiku stressed that only a credible and transparent investigation would restore public confidence and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.