The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, is currently recuperating at his Abuja residence after falling ill, and reports of any plan by President Bola Tinubu to replace him are false, according to multiple sources in the Presidency who confirmed the situation to The PUNCH on Sunday.

A senior official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, dismissed circulating rumors that the Minister had suffered a stroke or had been flown overseas for treatment.

The source confirmed the illness, stating, “Yes, he’s indisposed. He’s sick, which is a bit serious, but it’s not stroke.” The source added, “As I’m talking to you, he’s in his house. He has not been flown anywhere.”

The official acknowledged the possibility of foreign medical care if required, saying, “Of course, he might seek medical attention elsewhere if the doctors say that is necessary. So, it’s not true that he has a stroke.”

They concluded on the matter of his ailment, “He doesn’t have a stroke, which is why we put it in the statement that he is indisposed.”

Another official confirmed that Mr. Edun is being attended to by Nigerian doctors and reiterated that a decision to seek medical attention abroad would be made only if necessary.

This official stated, “He’s being attended to by Nigerian doctors. They’re still monitoring him. If he needs medical care outside Nigeria, he will go. But he’s still at home,” and firmly added, “There are no plans to replace him.”

Separately, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also affirmed that the Minister is receiving medical care within Nigeria.

Onanuga told the correspondent, “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.”

The Presidency’s comments follow reports by The Whistler suggesting that President Tinubu was considering replacing the Minister after news of his ill health surfaced late last week.

Earlier, the Presidency had already confirmed that Mr. Edun would not be attending this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., which are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, is set to lead Nigeria’s delegation in his stead at the meetings, which convene finance ministers, central bankers, and economic experts globally.

Appointed on August 28, 2023, Mr. Edun has been central to President Tinubu’s fiscal reform agenda, which includes efforts to stabilize the Naira, control inflation, and attract foreign investment.

Prior to his ministerial role, he served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu’s administration between 1999 and 2004. As of the time of the report, the Finance Ministry has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.