Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has come out in defense of the inclusion of a person currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in President Bola Tinubu's campaign team for the upcoming 2027 elections. Wike's remarks came during a media interaction aired on Channels Television, where he emphasized that being under investigation does not disqualify an individual from participating in political activities.

Wike questioned the perceived double standards in the scrutiny of individuals involved in political campaigns, highlighting that a person facing an EFCC investigation but not formally charged can still engage in canvassing for votes. He stated, "You (media) were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council. And I was just watching the lady. The lady doesn’t even know what to say."

He further elaborated on the inconsistencies in the political landscape, noting that individuals with criminal allegations have previously contested elections and emerged victorious. Wike pointed out that even those serving prison sentences could participate in political canvassing, stating, "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 votes."

The controversy surrounding Wike's comments is linked to the inclusion of Betta Edu in Tinubu's campaign structure. Edu, who has been appointed as the Director of Women Mobilisation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council, was previously suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 due to allegations of financial misconduct and is currently under EFCC investigation. Wike's defense comes amid public scrutiny regarding her role in the campaign.

In support of Edu's inclusion, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, a spokesperson for the APC campaign council, stated that Edu has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. She argued that it would be unjust to expect Edu to halt her political ambitions while the EFCC investigation is ongoing, which has lasted nearly two years. Asekun-Shittu remarked, "We believe that there is very likely the issue that she may not be found guilty. But besides that, we also know that with politics, every Nigerian is allowed to be a politician if they choose to."

The spokesperson further noted that the campaign committee is an internal party matter, asserting that the APC has the autonomy to decide on its members, while also mentioning that the list of campaign team members is not final and may still be subject to changes. As it stands, Edu's status remains unverified in relation to the EFCC investigation, and she continues to play a role in the campaign for Tinubu's re-election bid.