Tinubu Appoints Betta Edu Despite N585m Fraud Allegation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, as Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, nearly three years after she was suspended and removed from office amid an alleged N585.189 million fraud controversy involving her former ministry.

Edu’s appointment, contained in the full list of members of the campaign council released on Saturday, places the sacked minister at the head of a key directorate responsible for mobilising women and strengthening the APC’s grassroots support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The former APC National Women Leader is expected to play a central role in mobilising women and strengthening the party’s grassroots support across the country.

Her return to a prominent political assignment comes nearly three years after Tinubu suspended her over allegations surrounding the approval of the N585.189 million payment from the humanitarian affairs ministry into a private account.

The President suspended Edu on January 8, 2024, and directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate financial transactions involving the ministry and related agencies.

The controversy followed a leaked letter in which Edu directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer N585,189,500 to the account of a project accountant, Bridget Oniyelu, for grants intended for vulnerable groups in four states.

Edu denied wrongdoing and maintained that the funds were intended for legitimate social intervention payments.

The EFCC subsequently questioned Edu over the N585 million transaction and released her on bail.

Despite the controversy, Edu has now been assigned a major role in the APC’s 2027 campaign structure, alongside other party leaders, serving officials and political organisers.

The campaign council is chaired by Tinubu, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as vice chairmen, while Senator Abdulaziz Yari was named Director-General and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma Secretary.