Leaders of various Women Groups and Communities under the aegis of Arewa Women Leaders Forum (AWLF) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider reinstating the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu to her position.
The group in a communique issued at the end of a one-day Northern Women retreat held in Abuja on Monday, averred that the suspended Minister “meant well for the Ministry and Nigerians at large,” adding that “she was just a victim of circumstances.”
In the communique signed by its President, Hajia Salamatu Jibrin and Secretary General, Dr. Naomi Ari, the Group expressed sadness over the unfortunate events which eventually culminated in the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu.
They, however, alluded that Dr. Edu may have carried out her actions for the sake of the smooth running of the programmes lined up for execution in some states, saying, “her good intentions were however, misconstrued; and now, they want to throw away the baby with the bath.
“Beyond what you read on the pages of newspapers and the arrays of media trials here and there, a careful forensics into the matter and the feelers we get from all the panels handling the investigations, including the anti-graft agencies are pointing to the fact that she meant well for the Ministry and Nigerians at large.
“All preliminary investigations have revealed that Beta has done nothing wrong while carrying out her constitutionally guaranteed duties. She was just a victim of circumstances.
“The testimonials from the officials of the ministry and other seasoned civil servants we interacted with, said madam minister did not violate any notable administrative procedures,” the communique read in part.
The women leaders recalled the laudable achievements of Edu as Commissioner for Health in Cross River State and Chairperson of the Forum of Commissioners for Health.
“Even at short service as the National Women Leader of APC, we watched and admired her leadership qualities from afar. We were always thrilled with the passion with which she mobilised the members of that party across the country and we could only imagine what she could have achieved for the ministry if given an opportunity.
“We call on our father, the father of our dear nation, Nigeria and our dear President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to kindly restore Madam Betta Edu to her position. We believe that, if given a second chance, she would turn the fortunes in the ministry for the betterment of the poor and downtrodden Nigerians,” they added.
Edu, the embattled Humanitarian Minister was suspended penultimate Monday by President Tinubu, over an allegation that she moved the sum of N585 million from the ministry’s account to the private account of an assistant director in the same ministry.
The money, according to findings, was meant for humanitarian interventions in Lagos, Ogun, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States.
Betta Edu to face EFCC today, as Tinubu orders suspension
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