The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
One of the spokespersons for the council, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, spoke in an interview on Channels TV’s Morning Brief on Monday.
She argued that Edu deserved an opportunity to participate in political activities despite an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Asekun-Shittu made the position known while responding to questions over the controversy surrounding the composition of the campaign council, particularly the inclusion of individuals who have either faced allegations of corruption or are serving in public offices.
She contended that Edu should not be prevented from participating in politics indefinitely simply because the EFCC investigation into the allegations against her remains unresolved.
“I’d like to say that for Betta Edu, for example, she has not been found guilty. And it would be unfair to ask that she leaves her life until the EFCC clears her,” she said.
According to her, nearly two years have passed since the matter emerged, stressing that the former minister should be allowed to continue with her political activities while the investigation runs its course.
“We do not believe that we should then hold her life still or keep her stagnant until the case is decided. It’s been almost two years since that case. She does deserve an opportunity to present herself again for the party,” Asekun-Shittu added.
Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety. The EFCC subsequently investigated the matter, but no publicly announced conclusion to the probe has emerged.
Challenged on the fact that Edu had been removed from the Federal Executive Council over allegations involving public funds, Asekun-Shittu maintained that the decision to include her in the campaign council was an internal party matter.
“I do understand that but I also need you to see it from this angle. The fact that it’s an internal party affair. If we decide that she’s going to be useful and be able to work on behalf of the party, she does have a right,” she said.
She insisted that the allegations against Edu had not resulted in a conviction, adding that she remained entitled to participate in political activities.
“And that case is still with the EFCC. It is being handled. She has not been proclaimed guilty and deserves an opportunity to continue to live her life. That is what we are saying,” she said.
Edu was listed as Director of Women Mobilisation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. Other controversial names on the list include Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Taminu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, and Dr Bisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC),
Asekun-Shittu, however, said the campaign council list was not final and could still be reviewed following further deliberations by the party leadership and the Presidential Campaign Council.
“The list in itself is not sacrosanct. It will be taken in and readjusted. Most of these appointments are political. For political appointments, we would sit down, look at that list again, and decide the best way forward,” she said.
She specifically referred to concerns surrounding the inclusion of Adedeji and the NIMC boss, saying the party was still examining the situation.
“If it is found out that they are not allowed to play in that list, I believe that the needful will be done,” she said.
The APC spokesperson further pledged that the party would comply with relevant legal requirements, including removing or rearranging names if necessary.
“As a party, we believe in the rule of law. If it means that we need to withdraw that list and rearrange it, we will do that,” she added.
