Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended the decision to include a person under Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation in President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign team, insisting that an ongoing probe does not bar anyone from canvassing for votes.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday that was aired on Channels Television, the former Rivers State governor criticised what he called a double standard in how the media and public treat campaign participants.“You (media) were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council,” Wike said.
“Now, 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?”He pointed out that people facing criminal allegations have previously run for office and won.
“This person had an EFCC case in court, charged to court. He contested an election and became a Governor,” he stated, without naming the individual.
Wike went further, arguing that even a serving prisoner could urge support for a candidate. “Even a prisoner… maybe they have somebody in prison. 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.”
He also referenced an unnamed figure previously linked to alleged coup plotting who had nonetheless campaigned for a candidate, questioning why an EFCC investigation alone should disqualify someone from a campaign council.
The remarks come amid controversy over the inclusion of Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, as Director of Women Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Edu was suspended by the president in January 2024 over allegations of financial impropriety and remains under EFCC investigation. She has not been found guilty of any offence.
APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu had earlier defended Edu’s role, noting that she has not been convicted and that politics should not freeze someone’s life pending the outcome of a case that has already lasted nearly two years.
She described the campaign structure as an internal party matter that can still be reviewed.Wike’s comments reinforce the position that investigation or even incarceration does not automatically strip a Nigerian of the right to participate in political campaigning.
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