By Muhammad Mamman
The Presidency has dismissed rumours of a cabinet shake-up, confirming that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, is recuperating at his Abuja residence after a brief illness.
Multiple sources in the Presidency told The PUNCH on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu has no plans to replace the minister, contrary to media reports suggesting otherwise.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Mr Edun’s condition as “a bit serious” but firmly denied claims that he had suffered a stroke or been flown abroad for treatment.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not a stroke. He’s at home in Abuja and has not been flown anywhere,” the source said.
Another official confirmed that Mr Edun is being attended to by Nigerian doctors and would only seek medical treatment abroad if necessary.
“They’re still monitoring him. If he needs medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But for now, he’s at home. There are no plans to replace him,” the source stated.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the minister’s condition, saying Mr Edun, 69, was receiving medical care in Nigeria.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He suddenly fell ill, but he is recuperating and remains in the country,” Mr Onanuga said on Sunday evening.
The clarification followed reports claiming President Tinubu was considering a replacement after news of the minister’s ill health surfaced last week.
Earlier, the Presidency announced that Mr Edun would not attend this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. Instead, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global economic gathering, which begins on Monday, 14 October.
Appointed on 28 August 2023, Mr Edun has played a key role in President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, spearheading fiscal initiatives aimed at stabilising the naira, curbing inflation, and boosting foreign investment.
Before joining the federal cabinet, he served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under then-Governor Tinubu between 1999 and 2
