The Ethnic Nationality Group of Nigeria, ENGN, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject calls for the reinstatement of Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
According to a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, ENGN Convener and Spokesperson, Comrade Emmanuel Joseph and Alhaji Nurudeen Batseris cited Dr. Edu’s alleged involvement in high-profile corruption cases, nepotism, and lopsided appointments during her brief tenure.
According to the group Leaders, Edu’s alleged actions contradicted President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promises to end poverty and corruption.
While urging President to probe Betta Edu and make findings public, they emphasised that reinstating the suspended Minister would undermine the administration’s anti-corruption efforts, and as such the president should treat the case of the same way Halima Shehu was treated to ensure fairness to all region of the country.
“Nigeria is facing multidimensional challenges with devastating effect on governance and the well being of Nigerians. One of the major and invasive challenges bedeviling our country is corruption. It has become ingrained in our psyche that many Nigerians do not see anything wrong with it.
“The fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to but an end corruption in Nigeria during his presidential campaigns endeared many Nigerians to him. The massive votes he got and his staunch anti-corruption posture have proved to Nigerians that he has both the political will and capacity to permanently end corruption in the country.
“It is based on Mr. President’s proven track record of combatting corruption, including the immediate sack and prosecution of corrupt officials like former Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as well as our firm conviction that he will not jeopardize the integrity of his administration, that we have invited you here to voice our strong opposition to plans by a few selfish elements for the reinstatement of Dr. Beta Edu as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you don’t need to be reminded that Dr. Beta Edu, the former All Progressive Congress, APC, National Women Leader who was appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation by President Tinubu was sacked barely six months in office following high profile cases of alleged corruption running into billions of naira and other unwholesome acts including nepotism and lopsided appointments at the Ministry while she held sway.
Her alleged involvement in the diversion of ₦585.189m meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos States into her private account was insensitive to the plight of vulnerable people.
“It is indeed disturbing that despite these glaring infractions, some persons are desperately lobbying for her reinstatement. We are constrained to state that those who are trying to smuggle Dr. Beta Edu back into this administration are the beneficiaries of her corrupt schemes.
“Mr. President must not tarnish the image of his meritorious administration by reconsidering the embattled Betta Edu. She must be probed and the findings made public for all to see. She must be made to account for the rot in NSIPA, N-Power, Conditioner Cash Transfer programme and the lopsided appointments she made while in office”, the group noted.
