Edun, Dangiwa resigned, not sacked, Presidency clarifies

Nigeria’s Presidency has clarified that former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and ex-Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, voluntarily resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), dismissing claims that they were sacked.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was disclosed that Edun stepped down on health grounds prior to the announcement of his successor by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Edun, who recently turned 70, reportedly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, expressing appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve. He described his time in office as a privilege and commended the administration’s economic reforms, noting that the country had become more resilient and globally respected under Tinubu’s leadership.

Following his resignation, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, where they held a closed-door meeting before he departed to focus on personal and private business interests.

Similarly, Dangiwa was said to have resigned his position, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet. Prior to his ministerial appointment in 2023, he served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and also held the position of Secretary to the Katsina State Government.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their service and contributions to his administration’s economic reform agenda, wishing them success in their future endeavours.

The President has since appointed Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of Finance, charging him to build on ongoing reforms and strengthen fiscal and economic policies.

In a related development, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned from his position to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation confirmed that Adelabu submitted his resignation, signaling his formal entry into the 2027 governorship race. His decision aligns with an earlier directive by President Tinubu requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to step down.

Adelabu, a former governorship candidate in Oyo State, is expected to contest for the APC ticket as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, the President is expected to forward the nomination of a new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, to the Senate for confirmation.