₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has travelled to the United Kingdom to seek medical attention, multiple sources close to the development confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The report, first published by Western Post, was confirmed by a source who had earlier told The PUNCH that the minister might seek medical attention abroad if the need arises.

The source confirmed on Tuesday that the decision had now been made, saying, “It’s true, he has left already.”

Edun left Abuja for Lagos on Monday night via a commercial flight.

He later departed for London aboard a British Airways flight on the same night.

Until his departure, Presidency officials who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday had maintained that Edun was recuperating at his Abuja residence under the care of Nigerian doctors.

The sources said the minister had taken ill in recent days but dismissed earlier rumours that he had suffered a stroke or was incapacitated.

One senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorisation to speak to the press on the matter, told The PUNCH that Edun’s condition was being monitored closely.

“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’s not been flown anywhere,” the source had said on Sunday evening.

The official, however, added that doctors might recommend foreign medical care if necessary, a decision that has now been made.

Another aide familiar with the matter confirmed that Edun’s medical situation had prompted closer attention from the President but stressed that “there are no plans to replace him.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed that the minister had fallen ill but was initially receiving treatment in 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.

The Presidency had earlier debunked speculation that President Bola Tinubu was considering a replacement for the finance minister.

However, it confirmed that the minister would miss this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

According to a statement by Onanuga, the Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, would instead lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global finance meetings, which begin today, Tuesday, October 14.

Appointed on August 28, 2023, Edun has been a key figure in the Tinubu administration’s economic reform drive, overseeing the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rates, and fiscal measures aimed at stabilising the naira and curbing inflation.

He served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu’s administration between 1999 and 2004 and later co-founded investment banking firm Denham Management Limited.

At the time of this report, the Ministry of Finance had yet to issue an official statement on the minister’s whereabouts.

AMINDA:
Yet again, SaharaReporters was right but the government just felt embarrassed that they leaked the news too soon.

LagosOrigin:
I wish him quick recovery. But why are APC tinubu covering up his sickness?

In sane clime, the health status of political appointees are made public . From the president to his political appointees . But here in Nigeria under tinubu, the health status of political appointees and their principal is kept away from public.

FreeStuffsNG:
Smh.

Why are you not living up to the standard of integrity you demand from those you troll daily?

FreeStuffsNG:
Smh.

Why are you not living up to the standard of integrity you demand from those you troll daily?

FreeStuffsNG:
It's obvious that you didn't read their false account or ignored the duplicity in their account.

But for credible update from Western Post and Punch, many would have thought that the poor man was dying. While saharareporters falsely slanted the account, we now know that he was ill and had been receiving treatment at home for days, eating fine and only left for overseas yesterday likely to see his UK Healthcare service provider and rest away from work and politics.

I am so happy with the progress he has made. He is not down with stroke and wasn't rushed overseas for emergency.
Patriotic Nigerians will keep praying for his full recovery.


Smh.

Why are you not living up to the standard of integrity you demand from those you troll daily?

Islie:
https://punchng.com/edun-ailing-finance-minister-flown-abroad-for-treatment/?amp

malali:
A Stroke has most likley completed its damage and is in resolution phase in 3 days.
There is no need to take him abroad

Just give him comfort care
Put him on the right medications

This abroad, abroad you all like to announce
There are no magicians abroad.

LagosOrigin:
I wish him quick recovery. But why are APC tinubu covering up his sickness?

In sane clime, the health status of political appointees are made public . From the president to his political appointees . But here in Nigeria under tinubu, the health status of political appointees and their principal is kept away from public.

FreeStuffsNG:
It's obvious that you didn't read their false account or ignored the duplicity in their account.

But for credible update from Western Post and Punch, many would have thought that the poor man was dying. While saharareporters falsely slanted the account, we now know that he was ill and had been receiving treatment at home for days, eating fine and only left for overseas yesterday likely to see his UK Healthcare service provider and rest away from work and politics.

I am so happy with the progress he has made. He is not down with stroke and wasn't rushed overseas for emergency.
Patriotic Nigerians will keep praying for his full recovery.


Smh.

Why are you not living up to the standard of integrity you demand from those you troll daily?