By Cross Udo and Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, was yesterday denied access to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Minister arrived at the Presidential Villa shortly after her suspension was announced to have a physical discussion with the President.
While she was able to clear all security checks up to the president’s office, she was, however, blocked from seeing him.
It was also learnt that apart from being unable to have an audience with President Tinubu, her access tag to the villa was immediately withdrawn from her by the president’s security.
Besides that, she was also ferried out of the president’s office in a Toyota Hilux truck belonging to State House security.
It was not immediately clear whether she was later allowed to use her official vehicle out of the Presidential Villa premises.
Earlier yesterday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President said the suspension was in line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.
The President further directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
The statement further directed, “The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes to conclusively reform the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative. These directives of the President take immediate effect.”
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*Ndume, Shehu Sani, others hail decision
Meanwhile, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has hailed the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Edu, over alleged financial impropriety.
Ndume said Tinubu’s determination to fight corruption in the country, has manifested with his action against Edu.
He, therefore, urged the President to urgently curtail the activities of an emerging political cartel in his government.
Ndume warned that the cartel could be worse than a cabal if their excesses remained unchecked because Edu’s alleged fraud case might not be an isolated one.
The Senator, who is currently observing Umran (lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia, stated this in a telephone interview with journalists, in Abuja yesterday.
He commended President Tinubu for immediately suspending the embattled Minister, stressing that the alleged fraud committed by the suspended Minister may not be an isolated incident.
He insisted that the emerging political cartel may destabilise the administration of President Tinubu if their excesses were not curbed immediately.
The Senator, who is representing Borno South Senatorial District, maintained that for President Tinubu to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda, some tough decisions must be taken and some elements curtailed within the administration.
He said the prompt suspension of Edu was a confirmation that President Tinubu is serious about tackling corruption and eliminating waste within the administration.
Ndume said the move will restore confidence in his government and Nigerians will begin to take his administration seriously.
The Senate Principal Officer said, “What President Tinubu has done is very timely. The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is a welcome development. It will allow the relevant agencies to conduct a proper investigation.
“Some people in the same position as Tinubu would not have acted like him but as a leader who is in charge, he acted swiftly and the Minister has been suspended. We should commend the President. This is something Nigerians should commend.
“However, the President should not stop there. There is an emerging political cartel within the corridors of power. The President must not condone it. He must act swiftly and dismantle the cartel.
“If they are not stopped, they’ll be stronger and worse than the cabal. The President must not allow that to happen. I don’t think what the Minister did was an isolated case. I don’t think she acted alone.
“The President needs to look deep and flush out those involved in mismanaging the funds meant for humanitarian assistance. We’re hopeful that the President will take more decisive actions in the future.”
In the meantime, Ndume has urged Tinubu to revisit the issue of motivation of security agents in the country, especially members of the Armed Forces.
He said the President needs to equip, empower, and motivate security agents to enable them to carry out their responsibilities decisively.
The Senate Chief Whip said soldiers and other members of the Armed Forces fighting insurgency are not well-equipped, motivated, or empowered to fight the war adequately.
He argued that the salaries and other allowances they were paid were grossly insufficient to motivate them to win the war.
Ndume said since President Tinubu has openly told heads of security agencies that he will not accept failure, he needed to revisit the welfare of men and officers tackling insecurity across the country, especially in the North East.
He said, “President Tinubu has made it clear that he won’t accept excuses from heads of security agencies. And I agree with him. We need to win this war. But we need to do more. Those soldiers and other members of the Armed Forces fighting to protect the country are not properly motivated.
“I’m urging the President to do more and revisit these issues I’ve listed-equip them; motivate them, and revisit their salaries and allowances. This move will go a long way in changing the tide of war in favour of the government. But currently, what they’re getting is too small to even take care of their daily needs in the field while fighting.
“I’m optimistic that if the right things are done, we’ll see a different outcome in the ongoing insurgency war in various parts of the country. Let’s equip and motivate them and we’ll see drastic changes.”
Also, a former Kaduna Senator Shehu Sani has mocked former president Muhammadu Buhari amidst the controversy involving the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Edu.
Reacting to Edu’s suspension, Sani took a swipe at Buhari, insinuating that the former president would not have taken swift action like his successor.
Taking to X, he wrote, “This President has listened to the public and acted against his Minister. If it was the former President, he would just ASHUWA you.”
*CSO applauds Tinubu
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative in Nigeria (CSCHEI) has commended President Tinubu for his swift action in suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, said CSOs in Nigeria will not accept any administrative rascality and abuse of power by any appointees of the President.
According to him, “Many Non- Governmental Organisations and Community-Based Organisations have been working vigorously developing various working concepts to align with Mr. President Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is one of the reasons CSCHEI has set up a working template to evaluate and monitor 2024 budgets as approved by the President. Suspending the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviations is a strong warning to all government officials.
“CSCHEI will work with relevant agencies to make sure that investigations into the allegation that led to her suspension are logically concluded. It’s not only embarrassing but ridiculous hearing such financial administrative infractions
“Seriously speaking, we have seen a President travelling around the globe marketing Nigeria’s investment programmes. Hopefully, this may further increase Nigeria’s investment indexes. This is not the time for any government officials to indulge in financial misconduct that may negate the integrity of this administration.”
Yussuf said CSCHEI has already concluded plans to roll out training for NGOs and CBOs on “Intelligence gathering, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, reporting system, government policy’s initiatives, radicalisation, and extremism.
“These are the means to strengthening the Civil Society Organisation in Nigeria to be proactive, strategic, and tactical in daily responsibilities.”
*We can’t question Tinubu’s wisdom for suspending Edu, says Uzodimma
Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday said President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation cannot be questioned.
The Governor stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa.
Asked to react to the suspension in his position as Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Uzodimma said, “This is very clear. Whether Progressive Governors Forum, or whether as governor of Imo State, we have only one president whose wisdom we cannot question.
“And what is more, if there are allegations and the President said I want to look into it, I think it’s consistent with the law and the oath of office he swore to. So I don’t think it is something that will begin to create a menu now for the media. So, I think let’s allow the sleeping dog to lie.”
Uzodimma said he was at the seat of government to inform the President of his inauguration for a second term on January 15 in Owerri and to invite him to grace the occasion.
He further said, “I also used the opportunity to inform him of the successes we are recording in the management of security issues we’ve had over the years in the southeast, especially in Imo State.
“The President is very glad with the positive developments and also has assured me of his continued support towards the development of Imo State.”
Speaking on Monday-Monday sit-at-home in the South-East which has resulted in some schools not opening in Imo State on that day, he said something was being done to address the issue.
He said, “On schools not opening on Mondays, I’m happy you said in some places, by this time last two years, it was in all the places. So, today you are reporting pockets of two or three communities.
“It is not as if we have not managed the insecurity very well, but in those communities that are the epicentre of insecurity during the period under review, the fear is still resonating because of the parents and students of those schools.
“But we have embarked on an awareness campaign to the extent that I’m almost certain by the end of this month, every school will be running full shifts at the end of the day.”
Also commenting on the level of work at the Oguta Lake and Orashi River project for the berthing of ships in the state, he said, “Well, as it has to do with Orashi River project, we are partnering with the Nigerian Navy working with some consortium of companies. So far, from the work programme, the entire hydrographic survey of Oguta Lake to Orashi up to the Atlantic Ocean has been completed and certified by the number one hydrographer in the country.
“The Nigerian Navy did the programme by themselves in partnership with the Imo State government. So, only a few weeks ago, an official presentation of the chart was done in Owerri by the leadership of the Nigerian Navy. They are now analysing the chart, and processing it to be able to conclude the volumetric survey.
“That survey will establish the quantity of silt that will be removed from the river otherwise called the channel and then the design of the navigational equipment like buoys and other navigational aids that will be installed on the channel.
“So it is still a work in progress. We hope that towards the middle of this year, dredging proper will start. And going by our work programme and its milestones definition sheet which has also timelines, we hope that 18 months will be the proper period for the entire dredging of Lake Orashi River to the Atlantic Ocean, working on two shifts, day or night.”
The EFCC has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi, Abuja over an alleged N585m scandal.
The invitation came less than an hour after President Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s suspension from office through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
An impeccable EFCC source, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, revealed that the anti-graft agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had earlier recommended the suspension of the Minister to the President to pave the way for proper investigation.
The source further noted that the commission swung into action immediately after the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states into a private account.
“We have invited the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. The invitation letter was sent to her immediately after her suspension was announced by the President. We’re are expecting her at the headquarters any moment from now,” the source noted.
*Edu to report at EFCC office today
Meanwhile, Edu will report at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja today (Tuesday), according to a report by Channels TV.
A top source in the anti-graft commission told the TV station that the minister has been invited in line with President Tinubu’s directive that a thorough probe be conducted covering her time in the ministry.
Meanwhile, the EFCC quizzed Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, yesterday over an alleged laundering of N37.1bn during her tenure as a minister under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Farouq was still at the office of the EFCC as of 6pm yesterday.
Edu was caught in a N585m disbursement scandal involving her ministry, attracting widespread criticisms from rights groups and activists.
The predicament of the 37-year-old was worsened when the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, confirmed that although her office received a request from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to make certain payments, her office did not act on it.
Edu, 37, the youngest in the President’s cabinet before her suspension, was a fast-rising Amazon in the political space having occupied state and national offices at a young age.
