The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the self-proclaimed Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to publicly back up his allegations against the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, instead of allegedly going into hiding.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said officials occupying strategic positions around the Presidency, including the chief of staff, the secretary to the government and those responsible for public finances, often become targets of individuals seeking to discredit an administration.

He maintained that if Adeyemi’s claims were credible, he should present them directly to the appropriate security agencies and confront the chief of staff, rather than avoid scrutiny.

According to the minister, the matter can be objectively investigated, noting that Gbajabiamila’s phone records and any communication between him and Adeyemi could be examined to establish the facts.

Wike also recounted what he described as an attempt to tarnish his own image through allegations involving his son. He said some individuals falsely claimed his son facilitated a payment linked to government land, an accusation he described as entirely fabricated and intended to embarrass him in office.

The minister disclosed that his Chief Security Officer initiated steps to arrest the individual behind the allegation after it surfaced, adding that the timeline presented by the accuser did not correspond with his son’s travel records on the date mentioned.

He further revealed that he was advised to quietly settle the matter but rejected the suggestion, insisting that the allegation amounted to blackmail and should be investigated rather than resolved privately.

Wike also dismissed suggestions that Adeyemi was in hiding because his life was under threat, arguing that such allegations should be thoroughly investigated instead of being used to justify calls for the removal of any public official.