President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, as the Director of Women Mobilisation for his 2027 presidential campaign council.
Edu’s appointment was contained in the full list of members of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council released on Saturday.
The campaign council is chaired by President Tinubu, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as vice chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General of the campaign council, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will serve as Secretary.
Other key appointments include Senator Ajibola Bashiru as Deputy Secretary and Hadiza Bala-Usman as Assistant Secretary.
The campaign council also includes a number of senior political figures and serving government officials who are expected to coordinate the president’s re-election bid across different regions and voter groups.
Edu, who is listed as number 97 on the campaign council membership list, has been assigned the responsibility of mobilising women voters for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign. Her role places her at the centre of efforts to build support for the president among women across the country. citeturn0news21turn0news3
The appointment marks Edu’s return to a prominent political role after her departure from the federal cabinet.
Tinubu suspended Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in January 2024 following controversy surrounding a request for the transfer of ₦585 million to a private account. The President subsequently directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the matter. Edu was later removed from the cabinet during the October 2024 ministerial reshuffle. citeturn0news21
The EFCC investigation into the matter has not publicly produced a final report clearing or prosecuting Edu, according to reports published following her latest appointment. citeturn0news21
Her inclusion in the campaign council has therefore generated political reactions, particularly from opposition groups.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, criticised the composition of Tinubu’s campaign council, describing it as a platform for rehabilitating politicians facing unresolved corruption allegations.
The party specifically questioned the inclusion of Edu and former Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund chairman, Ngozi Olejeme, who was also named in the campaign council. The ADC called on the administration to explain the status of corruption investigations involving the two women.
Olejeme was named South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilisation, while Edu will oversee women mobilisation for the presidential campaign.
Despite the controversy surrounding some members of the council, the APC has moved ahead with preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The council is expected to coordinate the party’s nationwide campaign activities, develop mobilisation strategies and consolidate support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
With women constituting a significant voting bloc in Nigeria, Edu’s appointment gives her a strategic role in the campaign structure as the APC seeks to strengthen its support base among women ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.
The development also signals the beginning of a more organised political mobilisation effort by the ruling party as it prepares for what is expected to be a highly competitive presidential election.
