The Presidency has dismissed online 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.
Presidential officials confirmed on Sunday that the minister, who recently took ill, is recuperating at his residence in Abuja and is being attended to by Nigerian doctors.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the rumours as “false and misleading.”
“Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not a 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 official confirmed that while Mr. Edun remains under medical observation, there are no discussions or plans 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 clarified.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the minister’s condition, explaining that he is receiving treatment within the country.
“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 clarification followed reports by an online publication, The Whistler, which claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was considering a replacement for the minister after news of his ill health surfaced late last week.
Earlier, the Presidency 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., in Edun’s stead.
The meetings are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14.
