President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ngozi Olejeme and Betta Edu, both facing unresolved corruption cases, as members of his 2027 re-election campaign council.
Olejeme is on trial over an alleged N1 billion fraud, while Edu is being investigated over the alleged diversion of N585 million into a private account. The issue led to her removal from office in 2024.
Bayo Onanuga announced the appointments on Saturday, listing the roles of those selected for the campaign.
“James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring. Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South-South,” the statement said.
The attached list shows Olejeme, a former chair of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board, will serve as zonal director for election planning and coordination in the South-South.
In October 2025, the EFCC arraigned Olejeme before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on eight charges involving alleged conversion, transfer, procurement and possession of N1 billion in unlawful proceeds.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo had, on July 1, 2020, ordered the interim forfeiture of 48 properties linked to Olejeme. The first such order was made in 2018.
Edu was appointed “director of women mobilisation” for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Asked about her case, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said, “I cannot give you a one word answer. But the thing I can say concerning her matter is that investigations are still ongoing.”
He added, “You see, criminal investigation takes time. We have said it before that investigations are ongoing. We are not going to say more than that. We are still working on her matter. When we have anything to share with the public on her matter, we will let the public know.”
