The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, has defended the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, on the party’s presidential campaign council list.
Asekun-Shittu said Edu had not been found guilty of any offence and should not be denied the opportunity to participate in politics while her case remains unresolved.
Speaking on the development, the APC spokesperson said every Nigerian has the right to participate in politics if they choose to do so, stressing that the party does not believe Edu should be politically sidelined pending the determination of the case against her.
“Betta Edu has not been found guilty. With politics, every Nigerian is allowed to be a politician if they choose to be.
“We do not believe that we should keep her stagnant until the case is decided. She deserves an opportunity to present herself again for the party.”
Her comments followed the inclusion of Edu and other individuals whose names had previously attracted public attention in the APC presidential campaign council list.
The development is expected to generate further discussion within political circles, particularly over the participation of individuals facing ongoing investigations or legal proceedings in the activities of political parties.
Betta Edu has not been found guilty… With politics, every Nigerian is allowed to be a politician if they choose to be. We do not believe that we should keep her stagnant until the case is decided… She deserves an opportunity to present herself again for the party…
— Channels Television (@channelstv) August 31, 2026
Kemi Asekun-Shittu also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in the 2027 presidential election.
Asekun-Shittu said Nigerians are intelligent enough to understand the political implications of Atiku’s proposal, describing the promise as an attempt to win public support ahead of the election.
“I think that Nigerians are very intelligent people and they do understand when a man is offering them candy simply because he wants to take a seat at the table.
“If they understand what Atiku Abubakar is trying to say, they would understand that he is not the way to go.”
Atiku has previously advocated for the restoration of fuel subsidy, arguing that such a policy could help reduce the burden of rising living costs on Nigerians.
However, the APC campaign spokesperson maintained that Nigerians should carefully scrutinise political promises ahead of the 2027 general election and determine whether proposed policies would provide sustainable solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
I think that Nigerians are very intelligent people and they do understand when a man is offering them candy simply because he wants to take a seat at the table… If they understand what Atiku Abubakar is trying to say, they would understand that he is not the way to go.
— Channels Television (@channelstv) August 31, 2026
