By Ken Afor
There are speculations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the verge of replacing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, following her alleged involvement in a N585 million fraud.
According to reports Tinubu is weighing various options as he might not wait for the conclusion of the investigation on Edu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before taking a decisive position.
Reports hint that the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade is top on the President’s list of persons for consideration.
This is account of Ayade’s wealth of experience, strong skills and fierce loyalty to Tinubu. Others being said to be in consideration also include
Hilliard Eta, a former National Vice Chairman (South South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, Soni Abang.
“The President is resolute in fighting corruption, and Edu’s potential replacement is viewed as a sacrificial lamb to underscore this commitment,” according to the source.
While the EFCC is still conducting its investigation, there have been calls for Tinubu to outrightly dismiss Edu over her alleged offence.
The New Diplomat recalls that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in a statement, had urged relevant anti-corruption agencies in the country to conduct a thorough investigation into the fraud allegations.
Renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, had also commended Tinubu for taking a bold step in suspending the minister.
Falana had urged the EFCC to expedite the ongoing investigation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, with a view to charging all indicted persons before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory as soon as possible.
