The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has labeled President Bola Tinubu’s newly inaugurated 2027 Campaign Council a “rehabilitation centre for corruption suspects,” citing the inclusion of former officials currently under investigation for financial misconduct. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that the appointments undermine the administration’s anti-corruption posture and demand clarity on the status of pending cases against council members.
The ADC specifically highlighted the presence of Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and Ngozi Olejeme, former Chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Edu was suspended in January 2024 following allegations that she attempted to transfer 585 million naira from the National Social Investment Programme Agency into a private account. Olejeme has been prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial offences during her tenure at the NSITF.
The party challenged the federal government to disclose whether the investigations involving these individuals — and others associated with the campaign structure — have been conclusively resolved. “The Campaign Council is full of corruption suspects. If they have been cleared, the government should show how and when and by whom they were cleared,” the ADC statement read.
The criticism comes as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) begins early mobilization for the 2027 general Elections, with the council expected to coordinate strategy and stakeholder engagement. Analysts note that the composition of the council, which includes several figures with unresolved legal questions, risks reinforcing public skepticism about accountability in high office.
The EFCC has not issued any public update indicating that charges against Edu or Olejeme have been dropped. Until such clarifications are made, the ADC insists the council’s credibility remains compromised. The party called on the presidency to either provide evidence of exoneration or reconsider the appointments to preserve public trust.
The development adds to a broader debate over the handling of corruption cases involving politically exposed persons in Nigeria. Civil society groups have long argued that selective prosecution and the rehabilitation of indicted officials into political roles weaken institutional deterrence. The government’s response to the ADC’s demand will likely shape perceptions of its commitment to transparency as the election cycle progresses.
