Wale Edun flown to London for medical treatment after days of confinement in Abuja
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Finance Minister Wale Edun, 69, has been flown to London, United Kingdom for medical treatment after his prior confinement in Abuja for days over an illness that is still not disclosed.
Before his travel, Aso Rock only denied reports that he suffered stroke or was incapacitated.
The latest development was first published by Western Post, with The PUNCH now updating it by quoting a source as confirming the travel, after he previously told the newspaper that Edun might seek medical treatment abroad if the need arose.
“It’s true, he has left already,” the source disclosed on Tuesday to confirm that the decision had now been made, per The PUNCH.
Edun left Abuja for Lagos on Monday night on a commercial flight and departed for London aboard a British Airways flight the same night.
Villa officials on Sunday maintained that Edun was recuperating at his Abuja residence under the care of Nigerian doctors.
A senior government official also reportedly confirmed 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 official said on Sunday evening.
He, however, added that doctors might recommend foreign medical care if necessary, a decision that has now been made.
Another aide disclosed at the time that Edun’s medical situation prompted closer attention from President Bola Tinubu but stressed that “there are no plans to replace him.”
Tinubu’s Information and Strategy Adviser Bayo Onanuga equally confirmed that Edun was ill but 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.
Aso Rock denied speculation that Tinubu was considering a replacement for Edun but confirmed that he would miss this year’s World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington.
A statement issued by Onanuga disclosed that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso would instead lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global finance meetings, which began on October 14.
Since his appointment on 28 August 2023, Edun has been a key figure in Tinubu’s economic reform drive, overseeing removal of petrol subsidy, unification of foreign exchange (forex) rates, and fiscal measures to stabilise naira, and curbing inflation.
When Tinubu was Lagos Governor (1999-2007), Edun served as Finance Commissioner between 1999 and 2004 and later co-founded investment banking firm Denham Management Limited.
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