Betta Edu Appointed to Tinubu's Campaign Amid Controversy

In January 2024, President Bola Tinubu suspended Betta Edu from her role as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate her. This action followed a memo indicating that N585.19 million intended for vulnerable Nigerians was diverted to a private account, with the then-Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, labeling the transaction illegal.

Edu was questioned by the EFCC and released on bail, denying any wrongdoing, but no conviction has occurred, and the case remains unresolved. Despite this, she has been appointed as Director of Women Mobilisation in Tinubu's 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council.

While her appointment is legal, it raises concerns about the implications of placing someone with unresolved allegations in a senior campaign role. The APC's Deputy National Chairman (South) defended her inclusion, citing her grassroots networks, while the opposition criticized the appointment as indicative of a "rehabilitation centre" for politicians with financial controversies.