PRESIDENCY FIRES BACK: ‘Edun Was NOT Sacked’ — Reveals Health-Driven Exit, Clears Air on Dangiwa’s Departure

Abuja, Nigeria — April 22, 2026

The Presidency has moved swiftly to counter claims surrounding the exit of former Finance Minister, Wale Edun, insisting he resigned voluntarily and was not sacked, as widely speculated.

In a State House press release issued on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that Edun stepped down on health grounds before any official announcement of his replacement.

According to the statement, Edun, who recently turned 70, submitted his resignation letter on his birthday after battling ill health. He subsequently paid a valedictory visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where both men held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour.

In his resignation letter, Edun expressed gratitude to the President, describing his time in office as “a pleasure and privilege,” while praising the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for strengthening Nigeria’s global standing.

The Presidency also confirmed that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, similarly resigned from his position, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Both exits had sparked speculation of a possible cabinet shake-up, but the Presidency insists the departures were strictly voluntary.

Edun, a seasoned economist and investment banker, previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance during Tinubu’s tenure as governor and played key roles in Nigeria’s economic reform framework. Dangiwa, an architect, also served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank prior to his ministerial appointment.

President Tinubu has since expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their “dedicated service and invaluable contributions” to the administration’s economic reform agenda.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, has been tasked with consolidating ongoing reforms and driving fiscal discipline.

The President is also expected to forward the nomination of Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the new Housing Minister to the Senate for confirmation in the coming days.

The clarification comes amid heightened public interest and political debate over recent developments within the Federal Executive Council.