Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has praised the decision by President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. In a statement by Atiku’s Special Assistant, Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President acknowledged the commendable step but emphasized the need for broader reforms within the ministry.
President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to investigate all financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Edu faced scrutiny following a leaked memo that exposed her directive to transfer N585 million to a private account. Atiku, while appreciating Tinubu’s action, deemed it belated, questioning Edu’s appointment based on competence.
Atiku questioned the selection process, asking why Edu was chosen over someone like Imaan Ibrahim, who possessed significant experience in the development sector. He criticized the apparent politicization of the ministry, stating, “Tinubu put politics ahead of competence, hence this scandal.” The former Vice President raised concerns about the alleged misuse of funds intended for poverty alleviation, describing it as a cash cow for successive All Progressives Congress (APC) governments.
Calling for a comprehensive reform of the ministry, Atiku asserted that Edu should not be the sole focus of the investigation. He demanded a thorough probe into others benefiting from funds meant for the impoverished population and insisted on their prosecution. Atiku condemned the alleged exploitation of poverty and hunger by the APC, characterizing it as a tool for official corruption.
Referring to the ongoing probe of the previous Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, for N37 billion fraud, Atiku underscored the urgency of immediate actions to overhaul the ministry. He criticized the administration for alleged corruption during the COVID-19 lockdown, particularly citing questionable claims about the school feeding program and the distribution of funds during the Yuletide.
Atiku emphasized that the scandal extended beyond individual figures like Betta Edu and Halima Shehu. He described it as a systemic problem of corruption within the APC, accusing the party of exploiting poverty as a means of controlling vulnerable masses and perpetuating official corruption.
