Betta Edu, Suspended Over Corruption Allegations, Named to Lead Women Mobilisation in Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign
Abuja — President Bola Tinubu has appointed his former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to a senior role in his 2027 presidential campaign council, nearly three years after suspending her over allegations that she authorized the transfer of government funds into a private account.
Edu was named Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, which was formally unveiled over the weekend. The council is chaired by Tinubu, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as vice chairmen. Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General of the council, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named secretary.
Edu’s return to a prominent political role has reignited scrutiny of the unresolved corruption allegations that ended her ministerial career in January 2024. She was suspended by Tinubu after a memo surfaced showing an alleged attempt to transfer approximately N585 million from the National Social Investment Programme Agency into a private account, an action that reportedly breached the country’s financial regulations. The former minister denied any wrongdoing at the time, and the matter was subsequently referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation, though the case’s current status has not been publicly clarified.
Her appointment has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), which described the broader campaign council as a “rehabilitation centre” for individuals facing unresolved corruption allegations. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, specifically questioned the inclusion of both Edu and former Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund chairperson Ngozi Olejeme, calling on the government to clarify whether the cases against them had been resolved or whether their appointments amounted to a form of political pardon. Abdullahi further alleged that investigations into financial crimes under the administration tend to quietly fade before the individuals involved resurface in new official roles, arguing that such a pattern risks eroding public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
The ADC’s statement was blunt in its framing of the development, suggesting that political usefulness had effectively overtaken accountability in determining who advances within the party’s ranks. Social commentator Mahdi Shehu also raised concerns over Edu’s inclusion, questioning the criteria used in selecting members of the campaign team.
The criticism forms part of a wider debate surrounding the composition of Tinubu’s 2027 campaign structure, which has also drawn attention for the exclusion of several senior figures, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Meanwhile, some political figures within the ruling party have defended the president’s prerogative to select individuals he considers capable of delivering electoral success, regardless of past controversies.
As the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, the composition of the campaign council is expected to remain a focal point of political debate, with opposition parties signaling that questions over accountability and transparency will likely feature prominently in the lead-up to the polls.
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