17 months after her dramatic suspension from office, the case of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, raises serious questions about due process, internal party politics, and transparency in the Tinubu administration.
Dr. Edu, one of President Bola Tinubu’s youngest and most high-profile cabinet members, was suspended in January 2024 following a leaked memo that showed she authorised the transfer of ₦585 million in social welfare funds into a private individual’s account, purportedly to facilitate payments to vulnerable Nigerians.
At the time, the suspension was announced as part of a broader government anti-corruption drive. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) immediately opened an investigation. However, the EFCC and the presidency have remained silent about the findings, raising speculation over whether Dr. Edu was genuinely culpable or a political casualty.
EFCC Investigation Yields No Public Indictment
Multiple reports suggest that the EFCC concluded its investigation months ago, but no formal indictment has been made. Although over 50 bank accounts linked to the ministry were scrutinised, and Dr. Edu’s passport was seized, no charges have been filed.
“The EFCC’s silence is troubling,” said a senior political analyst based in Abuja. “Either there was wrongdoing, in which case the public deserves transparency, or there was none, in which case this woman’s career has been unjustly derailed.”
Political Undercurrents Within the APC
Emerging reports indicate that Dr. Edu’s troubles may have deeper political roots. Sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) allege that a group of senior women leaders within the party lobbied against her appointment to the cabinet, accusing her of “usurping” the role of authentic women leaders and isolating key party stakeholders.
A leaked petition from this group, dated shortly before her appointment, reportedly questioned her loyalty and qualifications. Analysts now point to this as potential context behind her swift suspension when the scandal broke.
“She ruffled feathers,” said a source close to the party leadership, speaking anonymously. “There was resentment over how much power she had accumulated and how independently she operated.”
Calls for Transparency and Restitution
Dr. Edu’s defenders argue that she has been unfairly “thrown under the bus.” They point to her record as a vibrant, energetic, and intelligent young professional who rose quickly through the ranks, from a medical doctor to a national women leader in the APC, to a federal minister, all before age 40.
“There has been no public report, no indictment, no opportunity for her to clear her name,” a youth advocacy group said in a recent statement. “This is a grave injustice—not just to Dr. Edu, but to every young Nigerian who dares to dream of leadership.”
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) described the fund transfer as “an attempt to commit a felony.” Still, he has since criticised the prolonged silence and lack of prosecution as “administrative inconsistency.”
A Government in the Dock
The Tinubu administration has yet to respond to mounting calls for the release of the EFCC’s findings. Observers say failure to disclose the outcome could damage the government’s credibility, especially among younger Nigerians who viewed Edu as a symbol of generational transition.
“If Betta Edu was not found guilty, she deserves a public apology and full reinstatement,” said a former cabinet minister. “If she was, the public deserves to see the evidence. Anything short of that is injustice—plain and simple.”
