Betta Edu Probe: Wike Says EFCC Investigation Won’t Stop Tinubu Campaign

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign structure for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Wike argued that an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not prevent an individual from participating in political activities or campaigning for a candidate.

The minister made the remarks on Wednesday while responding to criticism over Edu’s appointment as Director of Women Mobilisation in the APC presidential campaign council.

Edu was suspended from office by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial misconduct and was subsequently investigated by the EFCC. However, she has not been publicly found guilty of any offence arising from the investigation.

Wike said being investigated by the anti-graft agency should not automatically be interpreted as proof of guilt, arguing that political participation should not be denied solely because a person is facing an investigation.

“You were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council,” Wike said.

He questioned why an individual under EFCC investigation could be prevented from campaigning when people who have previously faced criminal charges have contested and won elections.

“Now, somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass for votes for a particular person, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win an election?” he asked.

The FCT minister cited an unnamed politician who, according to him, contested and won a governorship election despite having an EFCC case before the courts.

“This person had an EFCC case in court, charged to court. He contested an election and became a Governor,” Wike said.

He further argued that even individuals serving prison sentences could express political preferences and encourage others to support particular candidates.

“Even a prisoner… I go and visit the person. The person can tell me, ‘My brother, I want you to support so-and-so candidate.’ A prisoner has canvassed for vote,” he said.

Wike also referred to reports involving an unnamed individual allegedly linked to a coup plot, questioning why criticism should arise when such a person is accused of canvassing votes while someone under EFCC investigation is barred from participating in a campaign council.

He maintained that an investigation by the EFCC should not, by itself, prevent a person from supporting or campaigning for a political candidate.

“But a party, or a candidate cannot, simply because EFCC is investigating the person, cannot be a member of the campaign council to campaign for votes,” Wike argued.

The minister’s comments come amid public debate over Edu’s inclusion in the APC campaign structure as the party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.