Segun Showunmi Urges Swift Action on N585 Million Scandal Involving Tinubu’s Minister

Segun Showunmi, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has responded to the alleged N585 million corruption scandal surrounding Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Recent reports indicate that Minister Betta Edu requested the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to transfer public funds to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, identified as a project manager for vulnerable groups in the ministry.

In a statement on X, Showunmi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly address the issue without unnecessary delay or emotional reactions.

He emphasized the urgency of resolving the matter, stating, "Bettygate! Mr President, we have fooled around for too long, stumbling on the same stone. As laudable as social investment in the poor is, we need not waste the time, emotion, and resources of this country risking national anger by this fraud that never ends."

Adding to the conversation, Nigerian-American professor Farooq Kperogi observed that corruption scandals reminiscent of the Muhammadu Buhari administration are reoccurring under President Bola Tinubu. Kperogi urged Tinubu to dismiss Minister Edu for allegedly instructing the transfer of public funds into a private account, a violation of the law. He argued that failure to take decisive action would undermine Tinubu's moral authority to address corruption within his administration.

Kperogi noted that Edu's actions follow a similar pattern of theft seen in her predecessor, Sadiya Umar Farouq, who has been invited by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).