The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) agency involving one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the agency .

In a statement signed on Friday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party urged President Tinubu to suspend the Chief of Staff to allow for what it described as a transparent and unbiased investigation into the allegations.

The NDC’s demand is sequel to claims made by Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.

According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns over transparency and accountability within the current administration. It questioned how the purported agency allegedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and reportedly operated domiciliary, Pounds Sterling and Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite being disowned by the Presidency.

The party also queried claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved 314 staff positions for the agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted if the organisation was not officially recognised.

The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.

Photo: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson

The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.

He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).

Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.

However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.

.….Moves to Strengthen Integrity in Sports..

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC), reaffirming its commitment to promoting fairness, integrity and excellence in sports.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the inauguration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s sporting development and a significant step towards ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, delivering the inaugural speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July 2026 in Abuja.

Akume said that the inauguration follows the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act 2025, which established the NADC as a statutory body with the legal authority to implement Nigeria’s anti-doping obligations in line with international regulations.

He noted that the Centre represents the government’s response to past doping challenges that have affected Nigeria’s reputation in global sports competitions.

The SGF charged members of the newly inaugurated Technical Board to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, independence and accountability, and emphasized that the Board’s mandate includes athlete education, prevention of doping violations, protection of clean athletes and enforcement of anti-doping regulations across all levels of sports development.

(L-R) The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. H. M. Omidiran; the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON; Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi and the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.

Meanwhile ,Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, pledged continued legislative support for the anti-doping programme, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing sports development through increased funding, describing sports as a strategic tool for national growth and international recognition.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the inauguration as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the sports sector.

He urged the Board to promote integrity and accountability while expanding anti-doping awareness to schools, youth competitions, sports academies and federations nationwide.

(6th left) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, in a group photograph with the members of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.