Wike Defends Betta Edu’s Campaign Role

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the inclusion of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in President Bola Tinubu’s campaign structure despite her ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Wike made the statement on Wednesday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, aired on Channels Television.

The former Rivers State governor argued that being investigated by the EFCC does not prevent an individual from participating in political activities, especially when the person has not been convicted of any offence.

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“You were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council. And I was just watching the lady. The lady doesn’t even know what to say,” Wike said.

He questioned why a person under investigation should be barred from campaigning when individuals facing allegations had previously contested elections and won.

“Somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass for votes for a particular person, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win an election?” he asked.

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Wike further argued that even a person in prison could still express political support for a candidate.

“Even a prisoner… maybe they have somebody in prison. I go and visit the person. The person can tell me, ‘My brother, I want you to support so-and-so candidate.’ A prisoner has canvassed for vote,” he said.

His comments followed criticism over Edu’s appointment as Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

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Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and was later investigated by the EFCC. She has not been convicted of any offence.

Earlier, APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu defended Edu’s inclusion, saying it would be unfair to restrict her political participation before the conclusion of the investigation.

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