By Obinna Uballa
The Presidency on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, suffered a stroke and was flown abroad for medical treatment.
Multiple presidential sources, according to The Nation Newspaper, confirmed that Edun, 69, is recuperating at his Abuja residence after taking ill and is being attended to by Nigerian doctors.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the reports as “baseless and exaggerated.”
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke,” the source said. “As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house and has not been flown anywhere. Of course, he might seek medical attention elsewhere if his doctors recommend it. But for now, he is in Abuja and receiving care. That’s why we said he is only indisposed.”
Another presidency source also confirmed to The Nation that while Edun remains under medical supervision, there are no plans to replace him.
“He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors, and they’re monitoring him. If there’s any need for medical care outside Nigeria, he will go, but he’s still at home. There are no discussions about replacing him,” the source said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, echoed the same position, noting that Edun’s condition is not critical.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. Wale Edun is about 69 years old. He suddenly fell ill. As we are talking, he is in Nigeria, recuperating, and very much around,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency’s clarification followed reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu was considering replacing Edun after news of his illness emerged late last week.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the Finance Minister.
The meetings are scheduled to begin today, Monday, October 13.
Appointed on August 28, 2023, Wale Edun has been a key figure in President Tinubu’s economic reform team, spearheading policies to stabilise the naira, tackle inflation, and attract foreign investment.
