APC Defends Betta Edu’s Appointment to Tinubu 2027 Campaign: “It’s an Internal Party Affair”

APC Defends Betta Edu’s Appointment to Tinubu 2027 Campaign: “It’s an Internal Party Affair”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has brushed aside public outcry over the appointment of suspended former Minister Betta Edu to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign council, insisting the decision is a private party matter that does not require public approval.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has firmly defended its decision to appoint Betta Edu, the suspended former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, to a key role in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign, despite her ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N585 million fraud scandal. Speaking on Channels TV on Monday, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, justified the appointment, arguing that it falls strictly within the party’s internal prerogatives and is “not a public thing.”

When pressed on why the party would appoint a figure publicly embroiled in a high-profile corruption case, Asekun-Shittu offered a three-pronged defense. She began by framing the appointment as an internal party decision, stating, “I need you to see it from this angle. It is an internal party affair if we decide that she is going to be useful, and be able to work on behalf of the party, she does have a right. It is not a public thing.” The spokesperson emphasized that the APC, as a political organization, has the discretion to select individuals it deems valuable for its campaign machinery, regardless of their legal standing. She further invoked the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence, arguing that Edu has not been convicted by any court of law. “I’d like to say that for Betta Edu, for example, she has not been found guilty. And it would be unfair to ask her to leave her life or refuse to live until the EFCC declares her,” she said, expressing confidence that there is a “very likely issue that she may not be found guilty” as the investigation unfolds. While defending the appointment, Asekun-Shittu conceded that the EFCC probe remains active, admitting, “That matter is still with the EFCC; it is being handled,” without providing a timeline for when the investigation might conclude.

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Betta Edu was suspended from her ministerial position in January 2024 following allegations that she directed N585 million in public funds—earmarked for vulnerable citizens—to be diverted into a private bank account. The scandal triggered widespread public outrage and prompted President Tinubu to order a thorough EFCC investigation. The EFCC has since confirmed that it has recovered over N30 billion in connected investigations, though Edu’s specific case remains open. Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, told the People Gazette: “I cannot give you a one-word answer. But the thing I can say concerning her matter is that investigations are still ongoing.” Despite her suspension and subsequent removal from the cabinet in 2024, Edu was appointed on August 22, 2026 as Director of Women Mobilisation for Tinubu’s 2027 campaign, a role that positions her at the forefront of grassroots outreach to female voters.

The Betta Edu appointment is not an isolated incident, as the 2027 campaign council list, unveiled by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s spokesperson, includes several other figures with significant legal and ethical baggage. Among them is Ngozi Olejeme, appointed as Zonal Director of Election Planning, who is facing trial for alleged N1 billion fraud and was previously declared wanted by the EFCC. Also included are Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, both former governors who have been convicted of looting multi-billion-naira public funds. Additionally, serving public officials such as Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office, have been named as members, raising concerns over the mixing of governance responsibilities with partisan campaigning. The inclusion of convicted former governors Nyame and Dariye has drawn particular criticism, as both had been found guilty of corruption charges while in office.

The appointments have sparked a wave of criticism from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and legal practitioners. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the appointments, suggesting the campaign council serves as a “rehabilitation system” for politically exposed persons facing corruption probes, and questioned the government’s commitment to the anti-corruption agenda it campaigned on in 2023. Nigerian lawyers have expressed mixed but largely critical views, with Kano-based lawyer Umar Usman Danbaito telling the People Gazette: “While there may be no legal barrier to the appointments, there are serious moral and ethical concerns. These appointments send bad signals to the electorate and could erode public trust in the government’s anti-corruption fight.” Other legal observers have warned that including serving public officials like the FIRS Chairman and Budget Office Director-General could blur the constitutional lines between governance and partisan campaigning, potentially violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

When contacted for an update on Betta Edu’s investigation, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to provide a definitive timeline, stating only that “investigations are still ongoing.” This lack of resolution—nearly three years after her suspension—has fueled public skepticism about the Nigerian government’s commitment to prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, especially involving political allies, and has raised questions about the effectiveness and independence of the EFCC in handling politically sensitive matters.

Political analysts suggest the APC’s decision to appoint controversial figures reflects a strategy that prioritizes political loyalty and grassroots mobilization capacity over public perception of integrity, signaling a calculated political calculus that values organizational strength and electoral utility above public approval. However, critics warn that this approach could alienate reform-minded voters and undermine President Tinubu’s credibility on anti-corruption—a key campaign promise in 2023 that helped secure his victory. As the 2027 elections approach, the APC campaign council composition is likely to remain a contentious issue, with the opposition expected to weaponize these appointments in their electoral campaigns, framing the ruling party as indifferent to accountability and captured by corrupt interests.

APC Defends Betta Edu’s Appointment to Tinubu 2027 Campaign: “It’s an Internal Party Affair”