The Presidency has debunked reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is considering replacing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who recently took ill.
According to the information gathered by Insight Media correspondence on Sunday that Edun is recuperating at his residence in Abuja and has not been flown abroad for medical treatment.
A senior presidential official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed rumours that the minister suffered a stroke, describing the illness as “serious but not life-threatening.”
“Yes, he’s indisposed, but it’s not a stroke. As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house; he hasn’t been flown anywhere. Of course, if doctors recommend it, he might seek further medical attention outside the country,” the source said.
Another official also confirmed that Edun is under the care of Nigerian doctors, adding that there are no discussions about replacing him in the cabinet.
“He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors. They’re still monitoring him. If the need arises, he may travel for further treatment, but he’s still at home. There are no plans to replace him,” the official said.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Edun is recuperating in Nigeria.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old and suddenly fell ill. But as we speak, he is in Nigeria and recovering,” Onanuga said on Sunday evening.
The Presidency’s clarification followed reports claiming that President Tinubu was considering naming a replacement after news of the minister’s health surfaced last week.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that Edun would not attend the upcoming World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., scheduled to commence on October 14. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, will instead lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global economic summit.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Edun has played a central role in Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, spearheading fiscal policies aimed at stabilising the naira, curbing inflation, and attracting foreign investment.
Before joining the Federal Executive Council, he served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State under then-Governor Tinubu between 1999 and 2004.
As of press time, the Ministry of Finance had yet to issue an official statement on the minister’s health status.
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