In these past few days, we’ve witnessed different turns of event in the Nigerian political space, particularly the scandalous activities revolving around the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which takes center stage in the scheme of things and the Tinubu led administration, have responded to the situation swiftly, further asserting her stance on matters of corruption in the country.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development now called The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is a Nigerian ministry whose mission is to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions. It was established on Wednesday August 21, 2019 by an Executive pronouncement by the Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
Betta Edu; a medical doctor, one time commissioner for health Cross rivers State, and a one time women leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who was graciously appointed by the tinubu led administration became escape goat of the non-corruption stance of this regime
It came as a shock to many when the sitting minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was suspended even while in office, this shows that it is not business as usual. From political precedence, government appointees have a sort of immunity while in government. Prior to the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of this country, he made remarks towards “killing corruption” : My own is not identity politics. It’s not hunger or poverty politics. I have followed a man who has integrity, character and courage to say ‘Nigerians we need to change and change we have to. Change our mindset, kill corruption in our society,” he made these statement during his visit to then president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari
So it can clearly be said that the remark of “killing poverty” was a prophecy which is presently manifesting. Betta Edu, the main antagonist in this scenario breached the public sector financial regulations Act of 2009 which prohibits the payment of public funds to the account of a private individual. In details, it states that Section 713 of the law states that: “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account. An officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intention”.
A minister who typically acts as an intermediary between the president and a federal ministry, has the office of the minister checked by the permanent secretary who acts as the chief accounting officer of the ministry and is responsible for payments procurement and human resources issue in the ministry, the minister plays a major role in approvals when it comes to incurring expenditures. Considering these constitutional factors
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently invited the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, to its headquarters in Abuja, for questioning over alleged fraud.A source at the EFCC confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on earlier on that the suspended minister had been summoned and was expected to be at the commission’s office on a specific date for questioning
It was said that the invitation followed her suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu over controversial N585.189 million payment to a private bank account.
President Tinubu had who suspended Mrs Edu from office with immediate effect and ordered the EFCC to investigate the activities of the ministry.The invitation was sent to the suspended minister less than 30 minutes after President Tinubu announced her suspension from office.
It is spectaculated that, the EFCC had earlier recommended the suspension of the minister to pave way for a thorough investigation.The suspension would definitely give the commission the liberty to do its job thoroughly as directed by the president.
“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her.We expect her to honour the invitation and come to the commission on Tuesday to give proper insight into the issue at hand,” the source confirmed
We can affirm that it is not business as usual in the political space of N
igeria.