Edu’s suspension: You can’t question Tinubu’s wisdom

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The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s action in suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over allegations of fraud.

He told correspondents after a meeting with the president at the presidential villa, in Abuja on Monday, that the action is consistent with the laws of the country.

Uzodimma, who had been asked as the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum to react to the cases of fraud under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the way Tinubu has dealt with them, said:

“Well, like, you know, this is very clear. Whether progressive governors forum, or whether as governor of Imo State, we have only one president whose wisdom we cannot question.

“And what is more, if there are allegations and the President said I want to look into it, I think it’s consistent with the law and the oath of office he swore to.

“So, I don’t think it is something that will begin to create a menu now for the media. So, I think let’s allow the sleeping dog to lie.”

Uzodimma expressed confidence that if the 2024 federal budget is implemented even at a 50 per cent level, it is capable of bringing great positive change to the country.

He said the ruling party and its governors are on the same page and working together to create a better economy.

The Imo Governor explained: “The Progressive Governors Forum, the APC governors, members of APC as a party, the federal government, the government that belongs to APC as a party, we are on the same page.

“So, what we expect is very simple and has been clearly defined in the last Appropriation Act signed by the President. If will look at the provisions in that Act and the number of infrastructure and capital projects proposed by the President, if we’re able to perform even 50% budget performance on that document, it will not be the same in Nigeria. So, we already saw the presentation.

“And here we have a president and like, you know, in leadership, every leader must be able to articulate his vision on a marble slab and everybody’s vision is like a journey.

“So, once the destination has been established, the next thing is to start the journey.

“So, by this January this year, which is the lifespan of that Act, I’m sure the initial fears, occasioned by some of these reform policies, like the subsidy removal on petroleum products, the exchange rate escalation will be cured.

“In my conversation with some stakeholders in the country, we’ve had instances where reforms were carried out in some countries. Some policies that looked initially unfriendly policies; two, to three months of the gestation period, become the darling of all stakeholders.

“So, I’m confident that the initial period of the takeoff of some of these policies that give us a more robust economy will soon be over and Nigeria will begin to enjoy the product of the new vision.”

He said that Imo State under his watch has witnessed tremendous improvement despite all the challenges.

“Since the creation of the Imo state, we had the best and most peaceful Christmas last year 2023. So, there was no case of insecurity anyway. We had a very peaceful and joyful Christmas,” he affirmed.

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