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According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu has resulted in the official dismissal of Betta Edu from her role as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, following her suspension amid ongoing scrutiny.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bayo Onanuga stated unequivocally, “Betta Edu is gone,” affirming her ouster from the ministerial role.
“She was suspended in January and this is October. She is gone, officially. Her position has been taken over by the Plateau man.
“As far as this government is concerned, there is no more place for her in this cabinet,” the presidential spokesman said, adding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) might have submitted some information that justified her dismissal.
In a move to fill the vacancy left by Betta Edu, President Bola Tinubu appointed Nentawe Yilwatda, a lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Benue State, to the ministerial role on Thursday. The President has also submitted a request to the Senate for the confirmation of Yilwatda along with six additional appointees.
”Betta Edu is gone. Her position has been taken by someone from Plateau State…As far as this government is concerned, there is no place for her in this cabinet..”
Three months post-inauguration, in August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed 48 ministers to his cabinet. He named Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Oil and Ekperipe Ekpo as Minister of State for Gas, while retaining the senior petroleum minister role for himself, consistent with the practice of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
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Among the 48 ministers appointed by President Bola Tinubu, Betta Edu faced suspension in January 2024 due to allegations surrounding her involvement in approving the disbursement of N585,198,500.00 into a personal account. Additionally, Simon Lalong, another minister, chose to resign from his position to assume a seat in the Senate.
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into all facets of the financial transactions associated with the ministry and any subordinate agencies involved.
With Nigeria’s wobbling economy, skyrocketing inflation and worsening security, Tinubu, former Lagos governor, has faced intense criticism over his ministers’ performance in the last 15 months since their appointment.
The President succumbed to the calls for him to shake up his cabinet on Wednesday, with the disengagement of five ministers, the reassignment of 10 others and seven fresh appointments.
