How Tinubu Secretly Demoted Minister Of Finance Wale Edun, His Offence Revealed
How Tinubu Secretly Demoted Minister Of Finance Wale Edun, His Offence Revealed
Nigeria’s minister for finance and coordinating economy, Wale Edun was demoted by the presidency, his powers stripped as important agencies previously under his control and supervision were assigned to his colleague and junior minister, Doris Uzoka Anite.
Reliant.ng takes a closer look at Wale Edun alleged offence that culminated in his being relegated by president Tinubu despite his several years of friendship and political comradeship with the president.
Wale Edun’s alleged offence against the Tinubu’s presidency is his public utterances: one of which is his acknowledging financial discrepancies in Nigeria’s budget at the expense of the narrative put out by the president himself. This misdemeanor whether due to his professionalism or sincerity is seen as a punishable offence by the presidency who now consider Wale Edun’s as a threat to the financial records and secrets of the Tinubu’s administration.
Specifically, Wale Edun’s admission that the presidency could not meet the 2025 revenue target of N30 trillion as well as his previous statement in which he argued that there was a gap between proposed budget fundings and realities is seen by the presidency as a direct indictment of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu because Edun’s statement is not seen merely as a financial advice but a contradictions of the president himself.
By president Tinubu’s political culture and standard of his political relationship, his opinion on public issues especially those he made public, are incontestable–absolute. His public directives and stance must be respected by his subordinates– no amendment or alteration no matter how minor. In a context where there is discrepancy, such will be managed discreetly.
These unwritten principles are what Wale Edun failed to abide by as he publicly punctuated the narrative put out by the administration, undermining the administration’s core rule of engagement: Narrative control.
Hence, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose leniency for such an offence is non-existent, quietly stripped Wale Edun of his financial oversight:
Revenue control– revoked
– Debt management– reassigned
– Cash flow authority– removed
– Federation Account oversight–transferred
– Customs supervision– revoked
These powers integral to the nation’s fiscal policy realization, were given to Doris Uzoka Anite, a newcomer who is expected to play by the rule book without dissent.
Wale Edun after this necessary structural reshuffling, still retains the power of coordinations such as IMF engagement, negotiation with World Bank, negotiation with investors– these powers are without fiscal authority. Hence, he has been reduced to a mere messenger as the powers that gave him influence have been stripped.
Wale Edun’s demotion has sent shock to the members of the Tinubu’s cabinet who now understand that despite his decades-long alliance with the president, he could be sidelined, no one is indeed untouchable because competence, loyalty alone will not keep you, only total compliance will.
Consequently, Wale Edun who is currently disgruntled by his demotion, understands that he has overstayed his welcome and planning on quiting his membership to Tinubu’s cabinet– a development the Tinubu’s administration are anticipatory of especially as he likes to force his subordinates to resign rather than sack them himself.
