Nigeria: Forged Letter Used for Official Recognition of PFIPC, President Snubs South African Envoy

Nigeria's Accountant-General, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, has disclosed that a forged letter, purportedly from the State House, was instrumental in securing official government recognition for the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). This revelation comes amid an ongoing probe into the council's activities. In parallel, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly declined to meet with an envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The envoy was intended to facilitate discussions regarding the persistent issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. This diplomatic snub highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations on the matter. Meanwhile, the Nigerian House of Representatives is intensifying its scrutiny of the PFIPC. A special panel investigating the organization has reportedly uncovered 29 documents that are alleged to have been forged by the agency. The House is reportedly facing pressure to summon the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to provide testimony as part of the ongoing probe. Adding to the national security discourse, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), indicated that President Tinubu is poised to announce a forthcoming pay rise for soldiers. This announcement is anticipated to address the welfare of military personnel.