Governors elected under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are calling on Nigerians to withhold judgment on the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, until the conclusion of anti-graft investigations.
The directive to investigate all financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was issued by President Bola Tinubu on Monday. The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has been tasked with leading the probe.
Betta Edu, who formerly headed the ministry, was suspended by President Tinubu following revelations in a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023. The memo exposed Edu’s alleged instruction to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly serving as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
Addressing the media in Abuja on Wednesday night, Chairman of the Progressives Governor’s Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, emphasized the unity of APC governors and their commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s administration. He assured that the governors would stand by the government’s renewed hope agenda.
Governor Uzodinma stated, “The only perfect being we have observed and noticed is the Almighty God. The functions of government include encouraging good things and good appointees and discouraging bad things and bad appointees.”
Regarding the allegations against Betta Edu, he stressed, “What you just said about Betta Edu is just an allegation, and in the wisdom of the Apc President, it is being investigated. It is after the investigation is completed and the report made available to the government that the government will now take the final decision. So we should not be in a hurry and don’t allow any sickness like anxiety cirrhosis.”
The APC governors affirmed their commitment to supporting the government’s policies and ensuring alignment with the aspirations of the people for national security and welfare.