Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms have taken Nigeria through a difficult period and placed the country on the path to prosperity.
Edu made the statement on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, while participating in activities organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former minister, who was suspended from office in January 2024 over allegations of financial misconduct, expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, insisting that the economic reforms introduced by the President were necessary foundations for the country’s development.
Her remarks come amid widespread economic challenges, with many Nigerians continuing to struggle with rising food prices, transportation costs, inflation and declining purchasing power.
The economic difficulties followed the removal of petrol subsidy and the adoption of a floating foreign exchange regime by the Tinubu administration.
Edu’s comments also come at a time of growing public dissatisfaction with the President, who has recently faced boos and stone-throwing incidents during public appearances in Abuja and Jos.
Edu Speaks On Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the APC Women’s Directorate Stakeholders’ Engagement and Town Hall Meeting with Plateau women at the Rayfield Government House in Jos, Edu said Nigerians had passed through a challenging period of economic reforms but were now entering an era of prosperity.
According to her, the difficult decisions taken by the Tinubu administration were necessary to establish a foundation for national economic transformation.
“For Nigerians, we have gone through a bend, a bend of reform, of transformation and what we may call tough times, but right now, we are into prosperity,” she said.
She added that the foundations laid through the reforms were necessary for Nigeria to make progress.
Edu explained that the women’s mobilisation directorate had been directed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to combine a data-driven campaign with empowerment programmes aimed at communicating the administration’s achievements and providing support to women.
She said the directive was intended to ensure that the campaign went beyond political messaging by delivering practical assistance to Nigerians.
1,000 Plateau Women Receive Empowerment Support
The former minister disclosed that at least 1,000 women benefited from an empowerment programme organised during the engagement.
According to her, the beneficiaries received support to recapitalise their businesses, strengthen their sources of income and provide for their families.
“Today, we have empowered at least one thousand women in this hall and we have done that for them to go back and recapitalise their businesses,” she said.
She added that the initiative was designed to improve the welfare of families and create better opportunities for women and their children.
Edu maintained that the programme was part of the First Lady’s ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment and was not introduced solely for political campaigns.
She also urged residents of Plateau State to support Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, arguing that their continued leadership would allow them to sustain their achievements.
Background To Betta Edu’s Suspension
Edu’s political activities have attracted attention because of the financial misconduct allegations that led to her removal as humanitarian affairs minister in January 2024.
President Tinubu suspended her on January 8, 2024, following allegations that N585 million meant for vulnerable Nigerians was transferred into a private bank account belonging to an individual identified as Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
The controversy generated widespread public criticism and prompted the President to direct an investigation into the alleged financial transactions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently invited Edu for questioning as part of its investigation. She was later released on administrative bail.
Edu denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, subsequently disclosed that the commission had recovered more than N30 billion in connection with the investigation.
He also revealed that investigators were examining more than 50 bank accounts into which funds had allegedly been transferred, explaining that the investigation involved several financial transactions and would require time to conclude.
Tinubu’s Reforms Continue To Generate Debate
Meanwhile, the economic policies introduced by the Tinubu administration have continued to generate debate across the country.
The removal of petrol subsidy, announced during Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, and the subsequent floating of the naira were defended by the government as necessary steps to address structural economic challenges, improve government revenue and stabilise public finances.
However, the policies were followed by sharp increases in petrol prices, significant depreciation of the naira and higher transportation and production costs.
These developments have contributed to rising living expenses, placing considerable pressure on households and businesses.
Although the Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that the reforms will deliver long-term economic benefits, many Nigerians continue to express concerns over the immediate impact on their standard of living.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has also acknowledged that Nigerians experienced difficulties following the removal of petrol subsidy.
Tinubu himself has faced growing public criticism, with recent incidents in Abuja and Jos highlighting the level of dissatisfaction among some Nigerians.
At Friday’s Juma’at prayer at the Shehu Shagari Mosque in Abuja, the President reportedly faced boos and stone-throwing incidents. A similar reception was reported during his visit to Jos on Saturday.
Other prominent personalities at the Plateau women’s engagement included the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the wife of the Plateau State Governor, Helen Mutfwang; and former Deputy Governor, Pauline Tallen.
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