Presidency Denies Existence of Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Cites Forgery

The Nigerian Presidency has firmly denied the existence of a Presidential Economic Advisory Council, refuting claims made by an individual named Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, who presented himself as its Director-General. The Presidency issued a strong warning against politicians and the public for allegedly weaponizing Adeyemi's assertions against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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We are aware of the public interest in the matter of a man called Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, who has been parading himself as the director-general of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

In a statement released by presidential spokesman Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency accused Adeyemi of fabricating official documents originating from the Chief of Staff's office. These forged documents were reportedly used to substantiate his claims of leading a fictitious council. The office of the Chief of Staff had previously alerted security agencies, including the DSS and the Police, about the activities of individuals forging appointment letters purportedly from his office.

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The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office.

The Chief of Staff's petition to security agencies detailed how fake documents, complete with falsified signatures, reference numbers, and seals, were used to assert leadership in non-existent entities like the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The petition highlighted that these individuals were operating from the Federal Secretariat Complex, hosting meetings, and even seeking official diplomatic notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate visas for their staff. The Presidency emphasized that such actions constitute serious criminal offenses and undermine the credibility of the presidency and official government communications, prompting a call for a thorough investigation.

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The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the presidency and the credibility of official government communication.