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From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A Niger Delta youth leader and entrepreneur, Richard Akinika, has begged President Bola Tinubu to re-examine the motive behind the actions of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Beta Edu.
Akinika insisted that President Tinubu should take a second look at the motive behind the project account initiative deployed by Edu to disburse the money.
He appealed to the president not to allow public emotions and outburst to guide his decision on Edu’s alleged corruption case.
Akinika said: “While I commend the timely suspension and investigation of the Minister, the president should re-examine the motive of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu.”
Akinaka, in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, argued that Edu’s motive could have stemmed from her desire to reduce the bureaucratic bottlenecks involved in releasing funds.
He said: “President Tinubu should conduct thorough due diligence in investigating the matter. If it becomes clear that the funds released for the project were judiciously used and not siphoned or embezzled, then the Minister should be allowed to continue her work at the Ministry
“I express my deep gratitude towards the president for appointing such an excellent and young female Minister to work with. I plead on her behalf, not just because of her intelligence and competence, but also because of her intentions.
“What happened to her was a terrible mistake that could have happened to any of us. Considering the nature of her job, this issue is actually very common.”
Akinika urged a fair investigation into the matter emphasizing that the President should consider her intentions when evaluating the case.
He said: “All I am saying is that if the money allegedly embezzled can be accounted for and was used for good Intentions, Mr. President should please forgive her. And if it is proven otherwise, she can be sacked. Mr. President should also consider that she is the best at what she does.
“She must have made a terrible mistake. But, as we all know in government business, project accountants use specific operations for efficiency purposes and such funds are retired at the end by the appointed accountant.
“What Mr. President should really consider is whether the money was used for the reason it was approved for, or if it was actually embezzled. If it later turns out that the money was not embezzled, Mr. President should, please, forgive her and let her continue in her office.”
