The 2023 Labour party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi has condemned the actions of the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Betta Edu, tagging it immoral and insensitive.
Obi made this known in his post on his X page on Wednesday night.
While commending the government for her suspension, the former Anambra state governor also called for a comprehensive investigation into the fraud case so that all those culpable, will be brought to book.
“It is not only immoral but also insensitive for those entrusted with funds for public welfare to literally steal from the poor. Unfortunately, a ruling elite that can shamelessly convert, divert, or misappropriate such huge sums meant for the poor cannot be trusted to address the severe poverty ravaging the people.
“The Ministry may have been created by the system as a conduit pipe to siphon public funds while using the poor as a face. Equally worrisome and disgusting is the fact that the missing funds are meant for poverty alleviation in a time of severe suffering among the people.
“By a sad coincidence, the alleged fraudulent diversion of N585 million of public money by Ms. Edu broke almost at the same moment that the Minister who held the same portfolio in the last administration is being investigated for a whopping N37bn misappropriation.
“I call on the administration to use these cases to initiate a thorough system-wide and systematic investigation of all reported cases of fraud and corruption among high government officials in the country. I join all Nigerians in calling on the government to accord the problem of public sector corruption the severe urgency it deserves.
“While the action of the government is a welcome development, the investigation must be comprehensive so that all those culpable are brought to book.”
Chioma Kalu
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