By Ishaya Ibrahim
Suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, should be returned to her post, according to some women who gathered to make the demand.
Betta Edu was suspended after netizens uncovered a memo she directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the sum of N535 million to the private account of an individual. The money was meant for vulnerable Nigerians under the government’s social intervention scheme.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the suspension and probe of Betta Edu following the uproar generated by the revelation.
It is unclear what progress the EFCC has made with the probe. But there are indications that a strong lobby is underway for the recall of the suspended Minister.
At the weekend, a press conference called by the National Movement for Defence of Democracy and Good Governance to demand the sack of Betta Edu and by extension suspension of Defence Minister Bello Matawalle over alleged N70 billion fraud, was disrupted by the police.
Also at the weekend, a press conference by a group of women flaunting placards with the demand for Betta Edu’s reinstatement as minister was held.
The women at the pro-Betta Edu press conference held placards with various inscriptions including, Give Betta Edu a Second Chance, Bring Back Betta Edu, Market Women Need Betta Edu.