Arewa Group Insists On Beta’s Replacement At Humanitarian Ministry

A civil society organisation, Arewa Awareness on Good Governance, has reiterated the call for  replacement of the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

The CSO also called on the speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to sack Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok, his senior legislative aide, citing her ineffectiveness, lack of policy-making skills, and unacceptable behaviour.

The group’s demands came after Ogbeche responded to their criticism  labelling them “faceless” and reiterating her stance in support of suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

In a press statement issued to newsmen yesterday, the spokesman of Arewa Awareness on Good Governance, Germa Ibrahim Musa who said their stance against Edu’s reinstatement cannot be compromised for the benefit of Nigerians, said  Ogbeche demonstrated her inability to engage in constructive dialogue and policy-making, stressing that her decision to attack them instead of addressing their concerns is unacceptable.

The group had earlier advised Ogbeche to focus on sponsoring meaningful bills rather than singing praises for Dr. Edu, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recall the suspended Minister.

The group on Monday, also gave Speaker Abbas a seven-day ultimatum to sack Ogbeche, warning that failure to do so would be seen as disrespect to the entire northern Nigeria.

“Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok’s failure as a policy maker is unacceptable. Her loyalty to Dr. Betta Edu is misplaced and borders on sycophancy. We demand her immediate sack and replacement with a competent policy maker. Ogbeche’s attack on northerners, calling us faceless is shameful and undermines the integrity of the Speaker’s office. Her actions perpetuate division and betray the trust reposed in her.

“While we reiterates our call on Speaker Abbas to investigate Ogbeche’s role in promoting divisiveness and hold her accountable, we equally want to make it clear that we have not changed our mind concerning Edu who has plunged this nation into serious untold hardship,” they said.