Owing to former minister Betta Edu’s intransigence and alleged recklessness, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation initially sought to be transferred out of the ministry.
Authoritative sources told Western Post that the Perm Sec was so flustered about the minister and her non-readiness to be properly guided in respect of disbursement of public fund that he approached the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Yemi Esan, to transfer her out of thr ministry.
“The Perm Sec said he was finding it difficult to work with the minister because he didn’t want his name and career to be soiled.
“It was gathered that the Perm Sec had waved red flags over some payments the minister was making.
“But the minister usually brushed his guidance aside and do whatever she wanted,” the source said.
When he could no longer take it, the Perm Sec headed for the office of the Head of Service demanding his transfer out of the ministry.
The Head of Service was putting finishing touches to the transfer when the Minister was asked to step aside on Monday afternoon and to hand over to the same Permanent Secretary.
Citing his avowed commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in government activities, President Bola Tinubu had on Monday suspended Edu,from office with immediate effect.
The President had further directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, the suspended minister was directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
She was also directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance Wale Edun to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes,” the statement added. (Western Post)
