Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended the participation of a person under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign structure, arguing that an ongoing probe does not automatically prevent an individual from engaging in political activities or canvassing votes.
Wike made the statement on Wednesday during a media parley in Abuja, where he questioned what he described as a double standard in the criticism surrounding people involved in political campaigns. His comments were aired by Channels Television.
The minister’s remarks came amid controversy over the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Edu was named Director of Women Mobilisation in the campaign structure. She was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and was subsequently investigated by the EFCC. She has not been publicly declared guilty of any offence arising from the investigation.
Wike argued that being investigated by the anti-graft agency should not, on its own, prevent a person from supporting a political candidate or campaigning for votes.
He questioned why someone facing an EFCC case could contest an election and become a governor, while another person who is only under investigation would be considered unsuitable to participate in a campaign council.
Wike said there had been cases in which individuals facing criminal proceedings contested elections and eventually won, although he did not identify the person he was referring to.
“This person had an EFCC case in court, charged to court. He contested an election and became a Governor,” Wike said, according to reports of his remarks.
The FCT minister then extended his argument to people serving prison sentences, saying incarceration itself does not necessarily prevent someone from expressing political support.
He gave an example of a prisoner telling a visitor to support a particular candidate, arguing that such a person would, in effect, have canvassed for votes.
Wike also referred to an unnamed individual who had reportedly been accused of involvement in a coup plot and questioned why similar concerns were raised about people under EFCC investigation when others facing serious allegations could still be associated with political campaigns.
The controversy over Edu’s appointment had already prompted a defence from APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu. She said Edu had not been found guilty of an offence and argued that it would be unfair to prevent her from participating in political activities indefinitely while awaiting the conclusion of an investigation.
Asekun-Shittu also described the campaign council as an internal party structure and said the APC had the discretion to determine who would work for the organisation. However, she noted that the list was not final and could still be reviewed if necessary.
The issue has consequently developed into a wider debate about the difference between legal eligibility and political or ethical considerations. While an investigation does not amount to a conviction, the decision to give an individual a prominent campaign role can still attract public scrutiny, particularly where the person has previously faced allegations involving public funds.
Wike’s position is that the existence of an EFCC investigation should not automatically be treated as proof of wrongdoing or as a blanket prohibition on political participation. His argument focuses on the principle that allegations and investigations should not be treated as equivalent to a finding of guilt.
At the same time, the controversy demonstrates the political sensitivity surrounding Tinubu’s 2027 campaign preparations, with the composition of the campaign council already attracting questions about the backgrounds of some of its members.
For Wike, however, the central issue is whether an individual who has not been convicted should be excluded from political campaigning solely because the person is being investigated. His response was that such a restriction would amount to applying a different standard to political participation.
The debate is likely to continue as the APC finalises its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly if more questions are raised about the eligibility, records or suitability of individuals selected for prominent campaign positions.
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