The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, says God is her strength as she faces backlash after requesting that funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians be transferred into a private individual account.

Ms Edu, in a statement on her Facebook page on Saturday, said she was confronted with forces of corruption working against her mission to make positive impacts in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

The minister dismissed the illegal wiring of funds into private accounts as “baseless and an attempt to undermine the efforts she is making to fight corruption and uplift those in need.”

“In the course of our work, we have encountered resistance from forces whose hands may not be clean, but I want to emphasise that our commitment to transparency, accountability, and eradicating corruption remains unwavering,” said Ms Edu. “The challenges we face only strengthen our resolve to serve with integrity and dedication.”

She added, “I believe in the power of truth prevailing, and with God as my strength, I am confident that our collective efforts will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the less privileged. Your trust and support are invaluable as we navigate through these unfounded allegations.” 

Ms Edu’s leaked memo requesting funds be wired into a private account has elicited criticisms, with the accountant general, Oluwatoyin Madein, accusing her of circumventing financial regulations.

Ms Madein, in a statement on Saturday, said Ms Edu flouted financial regulations by requesting that funds be wired into a private account. 

The accountant-general explained that although “her office received the said request from the ministry, it did not carry out the payment. The ministry (Mrs Edu’s) was, however, advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.” 

Peoples Gazette on Friday reported that last December, Ms Edu wrote the office of the accountant-general, demanding that N585 million earmarked to reduce poverty of vulnerable citizens in Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Lagos, and Ogun states be paid into the UBA account — 2003682151— of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.