Tinubu Disassociates Self From Suspended Beta Edu, Denied Her Access To Aso Rock

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly disassociate himself from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu after she she was suspended from her position with immediate effect.

VerseNews reports that Edu’s suspension was confirmed in a statement released by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Medua and Publicity just as she was within the President’s office complex waiting for access to see him.

However, she was denied access to see the President at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

A source further revealed that security detail and official vehicles, in which she rode to the Villa, were withdrawn.

But The PUNCH confirmed that her Villa Access Card was withdrawn.

A source in the Presidency who spoke to PUNCH on condition of anonymity said Edu had been trying to see the President without success since January 1, 2024, a day before news broke about the suspension of the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, on January 2, 2024.

The source said, “She was here (Villa) just before the statement was released. She has been trying to see the President since New Year day when he returned.

“The President is not happy about the whole thing. In fact, more may be coming because he will not tolerate anything like this.

“So, as soon as the statement came out, the cars that brought her were withdrawn immediately and they assigned two security men to see her out. Her tag was also collected.”

According to a video footage spotted on TVC News, Edu was ferried out of the admin foyer of the Villa in a black Toyota Hilux van belonging to State House security.

Another source who spoke to The PUNCH said, “The SUV shown in the TVC footage was not for Edu but for a state governor who just arrived the premises. The car was simply turning to park somewhere. She was taken out of the Villa in the black Hilux.”

Edu’s suspension followed widespread criticism after a leaked memo on December 20 revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget.

The ministry had claimed that Oniyelu currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

The President also directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olu Olukoyede, to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.