Olayiwola Matthew
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, is recuperating at his Abuja residence after taking ill, the Presidency confirmed on Sunday, dismissing rumours that President Bola Tinubu was considering replacing him.
A senior presidential official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to address the media, clarified that while the minister’s illness was “a bit serious,” reports suggesting that he suffered a stroke or had been flown abroad for treatment were false.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke,” the source said.
The official added that Edun remains in his home under medical supervision and may only travel abroad if his doctors deem it necessary. “As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He has not been flown anywhere… He doesn’t have a stroke, which is why we put it in the statement that he is indisposed,” the source explained.
Another presidency source confirmed that Nigerian doctors are currently attending to the minister. “They’re still monitoring him. If he needs medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But he’s still at home,” the official said, stressing that “there are no plans to replace him.”
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, affirmed that the minister is receiving medical attention within Nigeria. “Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria. He is recuperating. He’s around,” Onanuga said.
The clarification from the Presidency followed reports claiming that Tinubu was considering appointing a replacement for Edun due to his health condition.
Earlier, the Presidency announced that Edun would not be attending this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, will instead lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global financial event, which begins on Monday, October 14.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Edun has played a central role in President Tinubu’s fiscal and economic reform agenda, including efforts to stabilise the naira, curb inflation, and attract foreign investment. He previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.
As of press time, the Ministry of Finance had yet to issue an official statement on the minister’s health condition.