C/River dep gov rallies support for suspended minister, Edu

The deputy governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey has said the state government stands by Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Edu, a citizen of Cross River State, was a former Commissioner in the immediate past administration in the state and thereafter served as the National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before his appointment as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

She has however become engulfed in allegations of fraudulent lodgment of public funds to the tune of over N585million meant for poverty alleviation in some states of the federation and was thereafter suspended and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

In what appeared as an encouraging message to the embattled minister, her state’s deputy governor on his verified X handle, assured that she will come out strong and that the state government is with her as she passes through the phases of trial and investigation.

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“Dear Dr Betta Edu, you shall come out strong! We’re with you. I trust Mr President to do a thorough investigation on this matter. Betta Edu is Better,” he said.

One of the many reactions that came under the tweet cautioned the deputy governor not to express local patriotism to a cause he cannot control its outcome.

“Dear Deputy Gov, we love Betta Edu too, but respect your office and don’t bring it into disrepute. Don’t meddle in that, Sir. If she’s found culpable, then your office would have been diminished and your character tainted. We hope she’s vindicated. Don’t be hasty to express your local patriotism to a cause you cannot control the outcome,” an X user posted.