Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, is currently on medical bed rest in Abuja, with Presidency officials confirming that there are no plans to replace him despite his absence from official duties.
Multiple sources in the Presidency told The PUNCH on Sunday that Edun, 69, is “indisposed” but recovering at home under medical supervision. They dismissed reports that the minister had suffered a stroke or had been flown abroad for treatment.
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not a stroke,” one senior official said. “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 it is necessary. But he doesn’t have a stroke.”
Another Presidency source added, “Nigerian doctors are attending to him. They’re still monitoring him. If he needs medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But he’s still at home. There are no plans to replace him.”
Edun’s indisposition became public after the Presidency confirmed that he would not lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Instead, the delegation will be headed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, with the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, also in attendance.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, told The PUNCH that Edun “suddenly fell ill” but is recuperating in Abuja. “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.
