A public affairs commentator, Mohammed Sanusi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reform the financial regulations of the Federal Government.
Sanusi said this following the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Mrs Betta Edu.
The PUNCH reports that President Tinubu, on January 8, 2024, suspended Edu following widespread anger over an alleged N585m scandal involving her.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said, “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.
Speaking on the alleged N585m scandal, Sanusi said, “The question is, was the money paid to the account of a project accountant of an appropriate grade? The answer is yes! Was the money disbursed to beneficiaries? The answer is yes! Did any funds go to Dr Betta Edu’s account, or was any funds used by her? The answer is No!
“If these are the facts, why would any strategic government suspend one of its best hands rather than reform its financial regulations if it is not comfortable with any aspect of it? Betta Edu didn’t write the Financial Regulations; she met it there. It is the same practice in all ministries with evidence to show to that effect.”
He said the President should “take charge of his government,” and “restart his social protection programmes with better checks and balances, reform the Federal Government Financial Regulations and take control of the media narrative.
“These negative media campaigns are succeeding in heavily distracting the government from achieving Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, by forcing it to constantly react to these paid media blackmails.”
