Nigerian Women Politicians Roped In Fraud Allegations

For years, there have been numerous agitations and struggle for the inclusion of women in Nigerian’s politics. Undoubtedly, many persons were so sure that women will make good politicians, considering the way they manage homes. 

Day by day, the pressure kept increasing and in no time, women stepped to the forefront of the Nigerian political scene.

But no one could even imagine that women play major role in most decisions their husbands in politics make. Corruption is inherent in almost all. 

The funny thing is that Nigerians pay little or no attention to these female politicians. Could it be trust? Or perhaps many had thought that the women were not capable of doing the kind of things men do.

Now, women that were perceived as an indispensable gender in nation building have also found their names in list of persons allegedly engaging in corrupt activities, joining their male counterpart.

Since Nigeria’s present democratic dispensation began, the list of Nigerian women politicians roped in fraud allegations is increasing each time.

Nigerian Women Politicians & Fraud

in 2007, the first female speaker of the house of representative, Patricia Etteh, was dethroned as the fourth most powerful official in government following a corruption allegation involving ₦628 million.

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The first Female minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison Madueke is not also free from
corruption scandal.

She was accused of withdrawing ₦30.9 billion in five days from December 26 ,2007 in order to beat government December 31 deadline for returning of unspent budget allocation to government treasury.

All this happened when she was the minister of transportation.

Till date, she is still entangled in corrupt allegations.

Obasanjo Bello was also in the same canopy, as she was accused of ₦3.5 billion contract scam which she allegedly awarded to her company.

It was when she was the commissioner of health in Ogun state.

Unspent Funds

On the same gender and sector but at federal level, professor Adenike Grange, a former minister of health and 12 others were charged by the anti-graft agency, the EFCC.

She was charged on the ground of corruption following ₦300 million unspent fund belonging to the ministry of health which was shared by the accused under the instruction of the minister.

Also, the Minister of aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah was not left out by the dew of corruption.

She allegedly bought two budgeted BMW armored cars at an exotic price.

The monumental fraud that characterised the Nigeria Stock Exchange under its former head, Dr. Ndidi Okereke may never be told, except that millions of Nigerian investors lost trillions of naira under very dubious circumstances.

The Action

The actions of the woman that fired her – Ms Arunma Oteh – makes one wonder what the agitation for more female representation in government is really about.

Nigerian women in business have also demonstrated the same uncanny ability to pilfer public funds. A case in point was that of Mrs. Cecelia Ibru, who was convicted of stealing nearly 200 billion naira of depositors’ funds while she headed the former Oceanic Bank.

Present Day

Till now, Nigerian women in politics are also trapped in the same web of corruption.

A most recent name in the baby administration of President Bola Tinubu is Betta Edu. She is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

Edu got herself entangled in a ₦585 million scandal.

Despite her denial, Nigerians cannot help but wonder how money meant for the people ended up in her private account. She says she has committed no crime and that her action was in line with the public service rule.

We will wait and see.

Indeed, Nigeria is full of wonders.

Nigerians were angry. In fact, they couldn’t hide their anger. The social media was boiling hot with reactions.

Nigerians came in one voice and demanded that Edu should be kicked out of office.

Trust Nigerians, they kept the fire burning until President Tinubu was left with no option but to suspend the minister while investigation continues.

Many are eager to see what the outcome of the investigation will be. One reason is that it is the first of such issue in the government of Renewed Hope.