By Gabriel Ani
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s decisive action in suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, amidst allegations of misappropriation of funds. However, Atiku emphasizes that the suspension is just the tip of the iceberg, calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the ministry.
In a statement released on Tuesday through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed his approval of Tinubu’s decision to suspend Edu but asserted that it was long overdue. The former vice president criticized the initial appointment of Edu, questioning her qualifications for such a critical role and alleging political motivations.
“While Tinubu deserves commendation for suspending Edu, we believe this is a belated move. First, he had no business appointing her as a minister of such a sensitive ministry in the first place. Tinubu put politics ahead of competence, hence this scandal,” Atiku stated.
Atiku further raised concerns about the systematic misuse of the ministry, originally designed to uplift millions of Nigerians from extreme poverty. He argued that the ministry had become a lucrative venture for successive All Progressives Congress (APC) governments, using it as a means to siphon public funds.
“Betta Edu should not be the fall guy. Others who have remotely and wickedly benefitted from money that was meant for poor Nigerians ought to be fished out, probed, and prosecuted too. It is demonic and tendentiously wicked to steal in the name of the poor,” Atiku asserted.
Highlighting the need for immediate reform, Atiku called attention to the ongoing probe of the former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, for alleged fraud. He argued that the situation demanded urgent action to restore integrity to the ministry.
“The scandal that we are contending with is not about Betta Edu, nor about Halima Shehu, or any other person for that matter. It is about a problem of systemic corruption through which the APC continues to bleed the treasury, ironically, asphyxiating the poor and vulnerable segment of the country, all in the name of caring for them,” Atiku added.
In conclusion, Atiku urged the government to undertake a comprehensive reform of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry and other interventionist programs, condemning the weaponization of poverty for political gains and calling for accountability to protect the interests of the Nigerian people.
