The presidency has clarified that Wale Edun, the immediate former minister of finance, alongside Musa Dangiwa, former minister of housing, voluntarily resigned from their positions in the federal executive council (FEC).
In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said Edun stepped down due to recent ill health, while Dangiwa also resigned and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in the cabinet.
Onanuga said Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, personally submitted his resignation letter, thanking the president for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
He added that before George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), announced the cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, Edun visited Tinubu at the State House and “held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses”.
“Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“On Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa.
“He held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.”
BACKGROUND
On Tuesday, Yomi Odunuga, special adviser on media and publicity to the SGF, announced that Tinubu relieved Edun of his duties and appointed Taiwo Oyedele as minister of state for finance.
He also said the president approved Muttaqha Rabe Darma as minister-designate for housing and urban development to replace Dangiwa.
TheCable had earlier reported that an insider claimed Edun was asked to “leave honourably in October last year but he lobbied to keep his position” after falling out with the president.
The insider also said the former finance minister was expected to be removed about two weeks ago, with several options considered for his replacement.