Hon. Peter Umoh, a former Akwa Ibom State House of Representatives member, characterizes Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, as a victim of systemic failure after President Bola Tinubu’s suspension over the approval of a N585 million payment to a private account.
During an interview with journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, Umoh stressed the impossibility of politicians diverting public funds without the involvement of civil servants.
Consequently, he urged President Tinubu to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate both those responsible for facilitating the money diversion and individuals within all other Federal Ministries.
His words: ‘Let me tell you, the civil servants are the ones who facilitated the diversion of that money. I am saying this with emphasis that no politician can take one more kobo from government money without the facilitation of the civil servants.’
‘From my knowledge of the civil service I am saying that Dr Betta Edu is just a victim of systemic failure. Perhaps what is reported She has done is what they used to do in that Ministry and perhaps in all other Ministries over the years which were not questioned.’
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‘It is only when one or few persons feel aggrieved that they can blow it open. Certainly few persons within that Ministry must have felt shortchanged and they decided to blow the matter open. So it is a Nigeria problem which must be solved holistically.’
‘My position therefore is that investigation should not be limited to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. President Tinubu should direct the EFCC to undertake similar investigation in all other Federal Ministries so as to know whether what has happened is perculiar to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.’
Reflecting on his tenure as Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Umoh recommended a prompt investigation, a cautionary measure, and the return to duties for Betta Edu, highlighting the valuable lesson she should have acquired.
While appreciating President Tinubu’s “somewhat prompt” actions, Umoh pointed out the collective expectation of Nigerians for him to act with even greater speed in reclaiming funds stolen by Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and civil servants in the last administration.