Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has alleged that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, was dismissed from the administration because she was not "clever" in stealing.

Okonkwo made the claim in an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, October 29.

Speaking on a wide range of issues, the former spokesperson for the Obi/Datti campaign council questioned the result of the investigation by the federal government following Edu's suspension in January.

"Now, about Edu, that you asked. It has told you the hypocrisy in the purported fight against corruption. The mere fact that you said you suspended somebody means there are reasonable suspicions that she compromised herself, compromised her office, and she engaged in corrupt practices. I think this is the suspension at the time. Yes. It was to pave the way for an investigation. So what's the investigation? That's the question. What's the outcome?"

"In this studio, I sat down and said that the call for an investigation was for optics. In this studio, is it not for optics? It's for optics. The thing is that that lady was not sad because she's told."

"That lady was sad because she was not clever in stealing. Let me drink this. No, no, no. How can you?"

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had in an earlier interview ruled out the possibility of Edu returning to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

Edu was suspended on January 8 following widespread anger over an alleged N585 million scandal.

Before last Wednesday’s cabinet reshuffling, there were speculations that the suspended minister may return to the government.

But the president named Nentawe Yilwatda as Edu’s replacement.

Speaking on Sunday during an appearance on Channels TV, Onanuga said, “Betta Edu is gone.”

According to him, the president has appointed her replacement from Plateau State.

The presidential aide said: “Betta Edu is gone. She was suspended in January, and this is October. She is gone. Her position has been taken by someone from Plateau State. As far as this government is concerned, there is no place for her in this cabinet."