Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the inclusion of a person under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign structure.

Wike made the comment on Wednesday during a media parley in Abuja, where he argued that an ongoing EFCC investigation did not automatically prevent an individual from participating in political activities.

The minister questioned the criticism surrounding the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in the APC campaign structure.

Edu was listed as Director of Women Mobilisation in the party’s presidential campaign council despite having been investigated by the EFCC following her suspension from office in January 2024 over allegations of financial impropriety.

Wike argued that it would be inconsistent to prevent someone under investigation from campaigning when individuals facing criminal allegations had previously contested elections and won.

He said there had even been cases where people already facing criminal charges successfully contested elections and subsequently became governors.

The former Rivers State governor further argued that even a person serving a prison sentence could potentially canvass votes for a political candidate.

Wike said political participation should not automatically be restricted simply because an individual was being investigated by an anti-graft agency.

His comments followed recent controversy over Edu’s inclusion in the Tinubu campaign structure.

APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu had earlier defended Edu’s inclusion, saying she had not been found guilty of any offence and should not be prevented from participating in political activities while the EFCC investigation remained unresolved.

She also described the campaign council as an internal party structure, saying the APC had the discretion to determine who would serve on it.

The controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.