HURIWA faults delays in replacing embattled Edu

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, accused President Bola Tinubu of promoting anti-poor policies.

The accusation followed revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), exposing a scandal involving the misappropriation of N30 billion, allegedly linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

The association, in a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, highlighted that the functionality of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, without a competent replacement for Betta Edu, has left millions of Nigerians without access to essential government assistance.

This situation, the group said, had been interpreted by HURIWA as a deliberate act of neglect towards the poor, further exacerbating the gaping socio-economic inequalities plaguing the nation.

“The EFCC’s bulletin detailing the recovery of N30 billion, coupled with ongoing investigations into 50 bank accounts associated with the scandal, paints a grim picture of corruption within the government.

“HURIWA insists that Tinubu’s failure to appoint a suitable replacement for Betta Edu since her suspension in January 2024, reflected a disregard for the welfare of the poor, effectively rendering the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs defunct and exacerbating the suffering of those in need.”

“President Bola Tinubu, in January, suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, following widespread anger over an alleged N585 million scandal.”

He added: “Edu’s suspension was happening as her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was reportedly being grilled for about 12 hours by the EFCC detectives over the ongoing probe into the N37.1bn allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.

“Data from the Budget Office indicate that the ministry, erstwhile known as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, had a N2.38tn budget from 2020 to 2024”, HURIWA stated.