Atiku challenges Tinubu’s Ministerial choice amid Betta Edu suspension

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lauded President Bola Tinubu for taking action in suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. However, Atiku criticizes Tinubu for prioritizing politics over competence in appointing Edu to such a crucial ministry.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant for Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expresses his belief that Edu’s appointment was not suitable for a ministry of such sensitivity. The suspension follows allegations of financial appropriations against Edu, who is accused of instructing the transfer of N585 million to a private account.

While acknowledging Tinubu’s decision to suspend Edu, Atiku deems it a belated move, emphasizing that Edu should not solely bear the blame. He questions the selection process, raising concerns about the criteria used in appointing Edu over someone like Imaan Ibrahim, who possesses considerable experience in the development sector.

The statement also questions the role of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as Betta Edu’s referee during her Senate clearance. Atiku asserts that the scandal highlights the consequences of putting political considerations ahead of competence, leading to the current predicament.

In a passionate plea, Atiku urges a thorough investigation into others who may have benefited from misappropriated funds intended for vulnerable groups. He calls for the identification, probing, and prosecution of those who have wrongfully gained from funds allocated for the welfare of the less privileged, denouncing such actions as “demonic and tendentiously wicked to steal in the name of the poor.”