By Ikeddy ISIGUZO
WALE Edun ceased to be a relatively unknown figure decades ago, having established his reputation elsewhere. He is so close to Tinubu politically that if the now President said “Wale,” nobody would be left guessing who he meant.
Yet we are still speculating about how the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy left office. This is further evidence that Tinubu’s primary concern is his re-election, which is proving increasingly difficult.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” a press statement by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Media Adviser, claimed Edun wrote in his letter of resignation.
“Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient, and more internationally respected. “I wish you and the administration every success in the future.”
Onanuga’s press release of 22nd April was intended to dispel the suggestion that Tinubu was unaware of how to announce Edun’s departure, particularly given that Edun had previously resigned as Commissioner of Finance from Tinubu’s cabinet in 2004 during his second term as Governor of Lagos State.
Edun’s ill-health was also cited as the reason for his resignation at that time.
Given the flagging performance of Tinubu’s government, Edun’s resignation – as a close associate, astute economist, and investment banker – could be interpreted as a damning indictment.
The situation would be even worse if Edun were sacked, especially after Tinubu had publicly praised his expertise and the administration’s economic reforms.
Was Tinubu taken by surprise by Edun’s resignation? Can anyone leave the service of a President who appears increasingly adrift?
In his statement, Onanuga emphasised Edun’s successful private sector career: “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 Programme, 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.”
Onanuga was a day late with his carefully crafted rebuttal, responding to the wishes of other Tinubu loyalists. They wanted Edun removed and secured Tinubu’s agreement.
Their problem was explaining the conflicting figures surrounding the economy’s performance. They blamed Edun for this.
Edun had publicly acknowledged the poor performance of the budget, the low funding of capital projects, and the rising national debt. These statements contradicted Tinubu’s claims about the benefits of removing the petroleum subsidy and the resulting economic prosperity.
In attempting to defend Tinubu, Edun took the blame for the slow release of funds for capital projects. We are expected to believe that sufficient funds were available, but Edun deliberately withheld them.
However, a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation revealed that Edun was removed “to strengthen cohesion and synergy in governance.” In other words, he was sacked.
Edun had just returned from representing Nigeria at the World Bank meetings in Washington. The urgency of his removal was therefore apparent.
Nigerians are not convinced by the explanation that Edun left due to “ill-health.” Onanuga stated that Edun wished to be excused to focus on “his private business,” which almost sounds like an accusation of prioritising personal interests over public service.
Tinubu could hardly sack someone over such a trivial matter.
Whether Edun resigned or was sacked, the situation raises serious questions about accountability, security, and the fundamental objectives of Tinubu’s administration.
Finally…
KENYAN President William Ruto, seemingly provoked by President Tinubu’s comment in Yenagoa that Kenyans were suffering more than Nigerians, responded forcefully, escalating the matter. “Our education is good. If you listen to a Nigerian speak English, you’ll need a translator. We have the best human capital anywhere in the world,” Ruto said in a video that has gone viral. Some communication experts believe the response was directed at Tinubu personally, rather than at Nigerians in general.
FRIDAY morning began with the harrowing story of Lisa Stephen, who bandits left for dead after amputating her arm. Her story, originally featured on Channel 4, is still available on Arise TV’s YouTube platform. She lives in Widows Village, near Jos, a place tragically named for its population of widows whose husbands have been brutally killed by bandits. On the night she lost her arm, she suffered even greater losses. The bandits abducted a ten-month-old baby she was breastfeeding, killing it, and then shot her husband beside her and murdered her second child by smashing its skull. The villagers live in fear of another attack, knowing there will be no security forces to protect them. Didn’t the President promise to deploy 5,000 drones “immediately” against bandits when he visited Jos Airport? Tinubu is demonstrably not delivering.
THE appointment of Fatima Zuntu as Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, is problematic. The NBMA Act requires 15 years of post-qualification experience. Mrs. Zuntu left school only 10 years ago. The team surrounding President Tinubu cannot even properly vet a proposed appointee. One can only imagine what else they are failing to do.
SOME communities in Kwara State have fallen under the control of bandits. What benefit is there in supporting the President’s party? Governors of 31 States are aligned with the President, yet none of them are immune to attacks by bandits and terrorists. What is the President doing for these States? What is the President doing for Nigeria?
- ISIGUZO is a major commentator on minor issues
