Nigerian-American professor, Farooq Kperogi, has drawn attention to corruption scandals within President Bola Tinubu’s administration, reminiscent of those witnessed during the Muhammadu Buhari era. The allegations surfaced following reports of corruption within two agencies under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Kperogi, in a Facebook post on Saturday, highlighted instances of malfeasance, including a request from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to transfer public funds into a private account. He urged Tinubu to take immediate action against Edu, emphasizing that failure to do so would compromise the moral standing to address corruption within the administration.
The professor drew parallels between the current situation and the corruption scandals that unfolded during Buhari’s administration. He underscored the need for accountability and called for swift action to prevent a recurrence of unchecked corruption within the government.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under the leadership of Sadiya Umar Farouq, also faced scrutiny, with Farouq allegedly dodging an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation involving over N37 billion. Kperogi expressed concern over the magnitude of corruption and emphasized the importance of holding officials accountable for their actions.
In a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023, Edu reportedly instructed the transfer of more than N500 million, designated for vulnerable groups in certain states, into a private UBA account, violating public sector financial regulations. Kperogi deemed Edu’s actions as indicative of a recurring pattern of corruption within the government.
The professor concluded by asserting that Tinubu must act decisively to address the emerging corruption scandals within his administration, emphasizing the importance of accountability and justice.
