President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect. The suspension comes as part of the President’s commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s commonwealth.
A statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) said that President Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as related agencies. The suspended minister is instructed to hand over to the permanent secretary and cooperate fully with the investigating authorities.
Additionally, a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture of social investment programmes. The goal is to reform relevant institutions and programs to eliminate institutional frailties and restore public confidence in initiatives benefiting disadvantaged households.
According to the statement, these directives, effective immediately, demonstrate the President’s commitment to accountability and reform in the face of alleged financial irregularities.