Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Chimaobim Edu, has made a notable comeback to the political scene. This time, her re-emergence is on a positive note, as she assumes the role of Director of Women Mobilization for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections
Edu who was once in the eye of the storm in 2024, was included in the 2027 presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appointment of Edu and other prominent party figures was announced by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, marking the beginning of the APC’s formal. preparations for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. SubscribingTo Political News Outlets
Abdulaziz Yari, senator representing Zamfara west, was named Director-General while Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, was appointed Secretary.
Edu, who is number 97 on the list, was appointed Director of Women’s Mobilisation for the campaign council.
Recall on January 8, 2024, Tinubu suspended Edu after a memo surfaced in which she asked Oluwatoyin Madein, accountant-general of the federation, to transfer N585 million to a private account.
The president also asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the financial transactions of the humanitarian affairs ministry.
On October 22, Tinubu named Nentawe Yilwatda, current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Edu’s replacement during a cabinet reshuffle.
Regardless of the controversies, the 40-year-old politician has risen above the fray going by her public service journey and trajectory through medicine, governance, and humanitarian work.
Edu born on October 27th, 1986, and hails from Cross River State.
From her days as Special Adviser, Director General, and Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, to serving as APC National Woman Leader, and then as Minister, she made her own impacts.
She began her political journey when she was a student at the University of Calabar. Between years 2007 – 2008, she was the Vice President of the Student Union Government at the university. She also served as the president of the female leadership forum, University of Calabar.
Dr. Edu first gained national recognition during her NYSC posting to Government House Clinic, Calabar, where she distinguished herself.
By 2015, she became one of the youngest Special Advisers in Nigeria to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade, on Community and Primary Healthcare, later rising to pioneer Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and subsequently Commissioner for Health. NigerianCulture Magazine
In 2020, she became chairman of the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce. In August of that year, she was appointed National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
Her national prominence grew when she was first selected as the youngest member of the APC National Reconciliation Committee and then elected APC National Woman Leader in 2022, championing youth and women’s empowerment before her elevation to minister in 2023.
She became the youngest national woman leader of the APC in March 2022. During her tenure, Edu, during the 2023 Nigerian general election campaign, assured women of 35 per cent affirmative action from President Bola Tinubu.
Dr Edu is a leadership Havard-certified Medical Doctor with an MBBS from the University of Calabar, a Postgraduate Diploma and M.Sc. in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from Texila American University.
She is a result-oriented health policy and management expert with over twelve years’ professional experience building and leading teams in visioning, developing, and implementing life-saving health policies and programmes at national and state levels.
Not losing steam at all, Edu has been tasked to mobilise millions of APC women and Nigerian women to support the party as the party focuses on the 2027 presidential election. She is expected to initiate and implement strategic programs that will endear Nigerians to the party including women empowerment (skills and financial empowerment).
