Nigerians under the banner of Arewa Youths are optimistic that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, will be vindicated at the end of ongoing probe into the all financial transactions involving the Ministry she superintend.
The group, made up of young Nigerians from the 19 Northern states, are confident those who looted palliatives and instigated all that culminated in her present travails will be put to shame.
The Arewa Youths in a statement said Edu had in her few months in office given a proper definition to what the Ministry stands for and not just a conduit pipe for diverting public funds that are meant for addressing humanitarian crisis and alleviating poverty as was previously obtained.
The group said if truly Edu was involved in what those running a smear campaign against her alleged, she would have been embraced by the traditional looters and diverters of palliatives and received their accolades as it was done in the last dispensation.
READ MORE: Tinubu suspends humanitarian affairs minister Betta Edu
Arewa Youths said having come from a region bedeviled by humanitarian crisis they can attest to her commitment, dedication and transparent running of the affairs of the Ministry which benefited the north more than when one of their own was there.
The group expressed bitterness that Edu’s ordeal is coming less than a week after she risked her life to visit the communities affected by the recent heinous attacks in Plateau for on-the-spot assessment and to give relief materials to survivors of the dastardly acts.
They called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance conducting the investigation to be steadfast and not condone any form of interference by the prophets of doom who are already plotting to influence the outcome of the probe.
“Though we received in good faith President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu be suspended while EFCC should investigate all financial transactions in the Ministry she was overseeing – line with the administration’s integrity policies.
“But, one thing is certain that she will be vindicated and those who looted palliatives and being checkmated by her hence fighting back as it is said of corruption will not triumph. They will be exposed and put to shame and attract the wrath of Nigerians especially those of us from the north that she has shown concern and compassion on our plight.
“We want to ask where were the saints or defenders of the Humanitarian Ministry when monumental corruption was going on their? Because they were benefiting they all maintain sealed lips for four years and can of worms are just being opened now after those in charge have left. That’s a clear testimony that Dr Edu is not dancing to their looting song hence the resolve to bring her down at all cost.”
