Atiku Commends Tinubu's Suspension of Betta Edu, Calls for Broader Reforms

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. In a statement, Atiku acknowledged the commendable move but stressed that it was not enough.

President Tinubu had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Edu faced criticism after a leaked memo revealed her involvement in directing funds to a private account.

Atiku raised questions about Edu's appointment, emphasizing the need for competence over political considerations. He called for a broader reform of the ministry, stating that Edu should not be the sole focus. Atiku highlighted the ongoing probe of the previous Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, for alleged fraud, as evidence of the urgent need for reform.

"There is a need for the government to reform the humanitarian affairs ministry and other interventionist programmes that had become an ATM and POS for those in power," Atiku stated.

He criticized the handling of programs meant to alleviate poverty, emphasizing the importance of immediate actions to address systemic corruption within 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 concluded by asserting that the APC has weaponized poverty and hunger, using them as tools for official corruption.