Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) Laments Delays In Replacing Betta Edu

According to Npower News, The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday 9th April 2024, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of promoting anti-poor policies.

The accusation followed revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), exposing a scandal involving the misappropriation of ₦30,000,000,000, allegedly linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), in a statement by its national coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, disclosed that the functionality of the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, without a replacement for Betta Edu, has left millions of Nigerians including beneficiaries of Npower without access to essential government assistance.

This situation, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) said, had been interpreted by HURIWA as a deliberate act of neglect towards the poor, further exacerbating the gaping socio-economic inequalities plaguing the nation.

“The EFCC’s bulletin detailing the recovery of ₦30,000,000,000, coupled with ongoing investigations into fifty bank accounts associated with the scandal, paints a grim picture of corruption within the government.

“HURIWA insists that Tinubu’s failure to appoint a suitable replacement for Betta Edu since her suspension in January 2024, reflected a disregard for the welfare of the poor, effectively rendering the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs defunct and exacerbating the suffering of those in need.”

“President Bola Tinubu, in January, suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, following widespread anger over an alleged ₦585,000,000 scandal.”

He added: “Edu’s suspension was happening as her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was reportedly being grilled for about twelve hours by the EFCC detectives over the ongoing probe into the ₦37,100,000,000 allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.

“Data from the Budget Office indicate that the ministry, erstwhile known as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, had a ₦2,380,000,000,000 budget from 2020 to 2024”, HURIWA stated.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/huriwa-faults-delays-in-replacing-embattled-edu/