Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended the inclusion of individuals facing investigations in political campaign structures, arguing that being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission does not automatically disqualify anyone from canvassing votes.
Wike made the remarks during a media parley on Wednesday, where he questioned what he described as inconsistencies in the criticism surrounding the appointment of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign team.
Edu, who was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety, was subsequently investigated by the EFCC. She has not been publicly declared guilty of any offence arising from the investigation.
Speaking during the parley, Wike argued that an investigation by the anti-graft agency should not prevent an individual from participating in political activities, particularly when the person has not been convicted by a court.
He said, “Somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass for votes for a particular person, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win an election?”
The former Rivers State governor further recalled instances where people facing criminal allegations had contested elections and gone on to occupy public offices.
According to him, even someone serving a prison sentence could express support for a political candidate and encourage others to vote for that candidate.
“Even a prisoner… I go and visit the person. The person can tell me, ‘My brother, I want you to support so-and-so candidate.’ A prisoner has canvassed for vote,” Wike said.
He also referred to an unnamed individual who had allegedly been linked to a coup plot but was still able to canvass votes for a political candidate.
Wike maintained that political parties should not be prevented from including individuals in campaign activities merely because such individuals are under investigation by the EFCC.
His comments followed controversy over Edu’s inclusion in the campaign structure for Tinubu’s proposed 2027 re-election bid.
Edu was listed as Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council.
Defending her inclusion earlier, APC campaign council spokesperson, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, said Edu had not been found guilty of any offence and should therefore not be prevented from participating in political activities while awaiting the outcome of an investigation.
Asekun-Shittu also described the campaign committee as an internal party arrangement, stressing that the APC had the authority to determine who would serve in the structure.
She added that the list was not necessarily final and could still be reviewed.
The controversy has continued to generate debate over whether individuals facing corruption investigations should hold positions within political campaign organisations, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
