The Buhari Media Organization, BMO, has rejected claims that former President Muhammadu Buhari created the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, insisting that his administration only established the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, PEAC.
The group’s response follows a statement by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, who told the House of Representatives that PFIPC currently under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, originated from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council inaugurated by Buhari on Oct. 9, 2019. Yakubu also explained how the agency was allocated funds in the 2026 budget.
In a statement issued on Sunday, BMO described reports linking the alleged fictitious agency to the Buhari administration as false and misleading.
The organization maintained that Buhari established only the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, an advisory body made up of economists and financial experts tasked with providing independent economic advice to the president.
According to BMO, the council initially operated from offices on the second floor of the Ministry of Health at the Federal Secretariat, which were designated for the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, a position Buhari did not fill until later in his administration.
It said PEAC had no dedicated budget line during Buhari’s tenure and that its activities were funded through presidential approvals issued to the Minister of Finance.
Also Read:Â PFIPC didn’t receive any funds, says Budget Office
BMO stated that the council was an ad hoc, part-time advisory body chaired by Prof. Doyin Salami before he was later appointed Chief Economic Adviser to the President.
Other members, it said, included Prof. Mahmuda Sagagi as vice-chairman, alongside Prof. Ode Ojowu, Dr Shehu Yahaya, Dr Iyabo Masha, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Bismarck Rewane and Dr Mohammed Salisu, who served as secretary in his capacity as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Development Policy.
According to the organization, members of the council did not receive salaries, while office expenses were paid by the Permanent Secretary, State House, following presidential approval.
BMO further stated that when the current administration took office in 2023, it neither dissolved the Buhari-appointed PEAC nor reappointed its members.
It said the council members regarded their appointments as having ended with the expiration of Buhari’s administration and vacated the office, which remained unused for several years before being occupied by others.
The organization concluded that reports suggesting the alleged fictitious agency originated under the Buhari administration were “false, groundless and lacked any factual basis.”
NAN
