CSOs urge Tinubu to reinstate Betta Edu without delay for these reasons
CSOs urge Tinubu to reinstate Betta Edu without delay for these reasons
If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged by a coalition of ten (10) rights organizations operating under the banner of the Civil Society Groups Against Defamation Initiative (CSGADI) to bring back Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as soon as possible, should the ongoing investigations clear her of any wrongdoing.
The call was made amid an extensive investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into possible financial irregularities at the ministry and its subsidiary entities.
Investigations focus mostly on financial transactions that happened before Dr. Edu taking office, which raises questions about stories that associate her with the purported corruption.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, Peter Asuquo Bassey, the Chairman of the Niger-Delta Peace Initiative, stated that the dubious transactions of the ministry should not be confused with the administration of Dr. Edu.
He emphasized that Dr. Edu had, in reality, questioned the transfer of over N40 billion Naira, which had been sanctioned before her arrival, and that such portrayal was not only unfair but also unfairly tarnished her image.
“After Dr. Edu asked for additional explanations, chaos ensued,” Bassey clarified, underlining the opposition she faced from deeply ingrained factions in the government. The coalition also made it clear that Dr. Edu is not a signatory to the N585 million private account at issue, nor does she own it.
“It is also evident that she is not linked to the billions that some media outlets have mistakenly associated with her,” Bassey went on.
“We implore the public, as we await the whole report of the investigation, to not be duped by those who wish to harm Dr. Betta Edu’s solid reputation. “We have faith that the President will address this issue in a deliberate, focused, and determined manner.
He shouldn’t be swayed by a nasty campaign of disinformation or the cooperation of an organization that favors business as usual. If Dr. Edu is found not guilty, the President ought to promptly reinstate her. We expect that only those who are guilty will suffer the penalties.
The coalition highlighted Dr. Edu’s experience and her support for operational transparency, arguing that they have unnerved people used to the ministry’s less ethical methods.
Encouraging the people to wait patiently and wisely for the EFCC’s investigation’s results, they all agreed that justice and accountability are important.
Representatives from several organizations attended the briefing, including Hon. Stephen Eriba, National Secretary of Independent Public Service Watch, Comrade Solomon Adodo from Rising-Up for a United Nigeria, Igwe Ude-Umanta, National President of Guardians of Democracy and Development, Yusuf Ibrahim from the North-South PEACE Initiative, and Kayode Arimoro from the Sustainable National Movement.
Princess Michelle Peter, National President of the Nigeria Female Youth Organization, Yusuf Garuba, National Chairman of Arewa Youth for Peace & Equity, Muhammad Awalu Majiri, National President of the Northern Youth Congress, Danesi Momoh, Deputy National Chairman of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, and Al-Mustapha Abdullahi, Coordinator of the National Development Alliance were also present at the event.
