ABUJA – In a decisive move aimed at upholding integrity and accountability in the management of public funds, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, with immediate effect.
The suspension, as announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in governance. Concurrently, the President has instructed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate a thorough investigation into all financial transactions associated with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as its affiliated agencies.
Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended minister, has been directed to hand over her duties to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Additionally, she is obligated to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities during the course of their inquiry.
In a parallel development, President Tinubu has commissioned a panel led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance. This panel has been assigned the responsibility of conducting a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes. The overarching goal is to institute reforms that eradicate institutional weaknesses and regain public trust in these initiatives, particularly for the benefit of vulnerable households.
All directives issued by the President are effective immediately, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SUSPENDS MINISTER OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION FROM OFFICE
In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.
These directives of the President take immediate effect.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 8, 2024
