By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a dramatic turn of events, Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has become the focal point of a contentious investigation, resulting in her suspension by President Bola Tinubu. The Niger Delta Coalition for Transparency and Good Governance (NDCTGG) has stepped forward, condemning what they perceive as a witchhunt against the minister, calling for a fair and unbiased investigation into the allegations of fraud.
Benjamin Bedford, the president of NDCTGG, expressed concerns about the ongoing media trial against Dr. Edu, emphasizing her demonstrated passion and commitment to executing her ministerial mandate within a mere six months in office. The coalition urged federal anti-graft agencies to conduct a thorough examination of the matter, citing potential political motivations behind the scrutiny of ministers from the Niger Delta in the Tinubu government.
NDCTGG categorically stated that the funds associated with Dr. Edu were not funneled into personal accounts but were directed towards designated humanitarian projects in the Niger Delta. The group encouraged the presidency to initiate an inquiry into the projects led by Dr. Edu, highlighting that the funds were utilized for community development rather than personal gain.
The coalition cautioned against unfairly targeting ministers from the Niger Delta in the Tinubu government and characterized the ongoing scrutiny of Dr. Edu's five-month stewardship as potentially driven by political motives.
In a bold move, NDCTGG listed ten compelling grounds upon which it believed Dr. Edu should be absolved of any wrongdoing. These grounds include clear financial trails, transparent transactions, comprehensive project documentation, audited accounts, beneficiary testimonies, oversight compliance, timely project execution, external validation, community development, and questioning the potential political motivations behind the scrutiny.
The group underscored the importance of a fair and impartial investigation to ensure justice prevailed in the matter. They expressed their hope for a transparent resolution that upholds the principles of accountability and fairness, urging Nigerians to await the outcome of the investigation. The fate of Dr. Betta Edu hangs in the balance as the nation watches closely, divided over the allegations and the fervent defense mounted by the Niger Delta Coalition for Transparency and Good Governance.
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