Presidency has again reaffirmed that “there is no cause for alarm”, over the health status of Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, as he is fast recuperating.

A top presidency source who spoke with BusinessDay on Wednesday disclosed that, contrary to reports, the Minister was not flown out of the country, but that he travelled by himself for medical attention.

The presidential aide also dismissed claims that the Minister is “incapacitated” as claimed in some media reports.

“He was not flown. He travelled himself two days ago,” he told BusinessDay, insisting also that there is no need for his replacement.

Recall that the Presidency had on Monday dismissed reports indicating that the Minister was critically ill, adding that President Bola Tinubu is shopping for his replacement.

Some online news reports had indicated that the Minister was bedridden and therefore unable to continue in office, making it necessary for the President to commence a search for his replacement

Edun, a seasoned economist, banker, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, has been widely credited with steering Nigeria’s fragile economy through some of its most challenging moments since Tinubu assumed office in May, 2023.

News reports had claimed that Edun who had been instrumental to shaping the nation’s economic and financial plans, was “seriously ill, adding that the President is looking for his replacement.”

The report was further fueled by a Presidency statement which stated that the Minister who usually leads the Federal government delegation to the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund Meeting in Washington DC, would be replaced by Oluyemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

But Onanuga, while reacting to the Social media reports in a telephone chat with BusinessDay, stated that although the “Minister was indisposed, he is currently recovering”

“Contrary to the reports by the Social Media, the Minister is not incapacitated and like I said before, he is currently recovering.”

This position was further corroborated on Wednesday by another Presidency official who stated that Edun actually travelled out by himself.

Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, said Cardoso, as the alternate Governor, replaces the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who is indisposed.

The Nigerian team will also comprise the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anete.

According to the World Bank, key elements of the Annual Meetings include the Development Committee Plenary session on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee meetings on October 17.

“Other featured events include regional briefings, press conferences, and fora focused on international development, the global economy, and financial markets” the statement said. (Business Day)