NEWS
Presidency Clarifies Exit of Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa, Says Both Ministers Resigned, Not Sacked
The Presidency has moved to clear the air surrounding recent changes in the Federal Executive Council, stating that former Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Housing and Urban Development Minister, Musa Dangiwa, were not removed from office but voluntarily stepped down.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was disclosed that Edun formally tendered his resignation, citing health concerns, prior to the official announcement of his replacement on Tuesday.
Onanuga explained that Edun, who marked his 70th birthday on Monday and has reportedly faced recent health challenges, chose that significant day to submit his resignation letter, expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve.
His letter read, “It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected.
“I wish you and the administration every success in the future.”
According to the Presidency, before the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation formally announced his exit, Edun paid a valedictory visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. The meeting reportedly lasted about an hour, after which he departed to focus on his private business interests.
The statement further clarified that Dangiwa also voluntarily resigned from his position, expressing appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve on the Federal Executive Council.
Dangiwa, an accomplished architect, previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank from 2015 to 2022 and later as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his appointment as Housing Minister in August 2023.
Providing further insight into Edun’s extensive career, the Presidency stated, “Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State commissioner for finance between 1999 and 2004, during the tenure of then Governor Bola Tinubu.
“Before then, he worked from 1980 to 1986 at Chase Merchant Bank (later Continental) in Lagos. He joined the World Bank in September 1986 through the elite Young Professionals program, where he worked on economic and financial packages for several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“In 1989, he co-founded Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (now Stanbic IBTC) and served as executive director. In 1994, he founded Denham Management Limited, which has since become the Chapelhill Denham Group. He served as chairman from 2008 to 2021.”
The Presidency added that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to both Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and notable contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme, wishing them continued success in their future pursuits.
Meanwhile, the President has tasked the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, with consolidating ongoing reforms and driving the administration’s fiscal and economic agenda with renewed discipline, focus, and innovation.
Onanuga also disclosed that President Tinubu will soon forward the nomination of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, a fellow Katsina indigene like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation as the new Minister of Housing.