Arewa Group Renews Demand for Removal of Beta's Ally in Humanitarian Ministry

 

The Arewa Awareness on Good Governance, a notable advocacy group, has once again urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to dismiss his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA), Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok, due to her alleged inefficiency, lack of policy expertise, and inappropriate conduct.

The renewed call follows Ogbeche's response to the group’s earlier criticisms, where she allegedly insulted them by calling them "faceless" and reaffirming her support for the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

In a press release issued in Kaduna on Wednesday, the group's spokesperson, Germa Ibrahim Musa, emphasized that their opposition to Edu’s reinstatement remains firm for the welfare of Nigerians. Musa criticized Ogbeche for failing to engage in productive dialogue, accusing her of attacking the group instead of addressing their legitimate concerns.

Previously, the group had advised Ogbeche to focus on promoting meaningful legislative initiatives rather than defending Dr. Edu, while urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the suspended minister's case.

On Monday, the group gave Speaker Abbas a seven-day ultimatum to remove Ogbeche, warning that failure to do so would be seen as a slight against the entire northern region.

"Ogbeche-Odok's failure as a policy advisor is unacceptable. Her loyalty to Dr. Betta Edu is misplaced and reeks of sycophancy. We demand her immediate removal and replacement with someone more competent.

"Her attack on northerners, dismissing us as 'faceless,' is disgraceful and tarnishes the reputation of the Speaker’s office. Her actions sow division and betray the public's trust.

"We renew our call for Speaker Abbas to investigate Ogbeche’s role in fostering disunity and to hold her accountable. Our stance on Dr. Edu remains unchanged, as her actions have caused significant hardship for the country."

The group also noted that Ogbeche's continued presence in the Speaker's office undermines the credibility of the House of Representatives.

"Ogbeche's incompetence is glaring, and her arrogance is boundless. She is disconnected from the realities and needs of Nigerians. We will not tolerate her continued presence in the Speaker's office. Speaker Abbas must take decisive action to restore the integrity of his office," the statement concluded.