How Betta Edu was Denied Access to See Tinubu at Presidential Villa

On Monday, Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, faced denial of access to President Bola Tinubu at the State House shortly after her suspension was officially announced.

Despite passing all security checks, Edu found herself barred from entering the president’s office at the presidential villa. Protocol officials escorted her out, and reports indicate that her access tag was revoked by the president’s security team.

Edu has been in the eye of the storm with demands for her sack coming from different quarters after a memo surfaced wherein she asked Oluwatoyin Madein, accountant-general of the federation, to transfer N585 million to a private account.  Additional controversies arose as she approved funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for ministry staff traveling to Kogi, a state without an airport.

President Tinubu, responding to the mounting pressure, officially suspended Edu on Monday. Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s spokesperson, revealed that Tinubu has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate a comprehensive investigation into all financial transactions involving Edu’s ministry.

“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect,” stated Ajuri in an official statement.

The suspended minister has been summoned by the EFCC to appear at the commission’s headquarters for questioning, further escalating the gravity of the situation surrounding Edu’s tenure.