Betta Edu: Deal with cartel members replacing cabal, Ndume tells Tinubu

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The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, on Monday, commended President Bola Tinubu for suspending the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu.

This was just as he said Tinubu’s suspension of Edu was a timely action.

He also advised the President to immediately curtail the excesses of what it called an emerging political cartel and warned that it may be worse than a cabal if unchecked.

The President had earlier suspended Edu after coming under attack over a leaked memo on December 20, 2023, which revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

In a telephone conversation on Monday, Ndume said the alleged fraud committed by the suspended Minister may not be isolated.

He warned that if unchecked, the emerging political cartel may destabilise the administration of the President.

The Borno South senator maintained that for Tinubu to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda, some tough decisions must be taken and some elements curtailed within the administration.

He said the prompt suspension of Edu is a confirmation that Tinubu is serious about tackling corruption and eliminating waste within the administration.

Ndume said the move will restore confidence in his government and Nigerians will begin to take his administration seriously.

He said, “What President Tinubu has done is very timely. The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is a welcome development. It will allow the relevant agencies to conduct a proper investigation.

“Some people in the same position Tinubu is would not have acted. But as a leader who is in charge, he acted swiftly and the minister has been suspended. We should commend the President. This is something Nigerians should commend.”

He, however, added, “But the President should not stop there. There is an emerging political cartel within the corridors of power. The President must act swiftly and dismantle the cartel.

“If they’re not stopped, they’ll be stronger and worse than the cabal. The President must not allow that to happen. I don’t think what the minister did was an isolated case. I don’t think she acted alone.

“The President needs to look deep and flush out those involved in mismanaging the funds meant for humanitarian assistance. We’re hopeful that the President will take more decisive actions in the future.”