The Presidency has debunked reports circulating in some online media claiming that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, suffered a stroke and was flown abroad for treatment.
Presidential officials confirmed on Sunday that the minister is recuperating in his Abuja residence after taking ill and is being attended to by Nigerian doctors.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the rumours as unfounded.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke. As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He has not been flown anywhere. Of course, he might seek medical attention elsewhere if the doctors say that is necessary. But he doesn’t have stroke. That’s why we said he is only indisposed”, the source said.
Another presidency source confirmed that while Edun remains under medical observation, there is no plan to replace him.
“He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors. They’re monitoring him, and if there’s a need for medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But for now, he’s still at home. There are no plans to replace him,” the official said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed that the minister is receiving medical care 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 on Sunday evening.
The clarifications followed reports by an online publication, The Whistler, suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was considering a replacement for Edun after news of his ill health surfaced late last week.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, would lead the country’s delegation to the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., in Edun’s stead. The meetings are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14.
