Edun’s Integrity Made Him Misfit In Tinubu’s Cabinet — Dalung
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has described ex-finance minister, Wale Edun, as a misfit in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.
Dalung served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Trust TV’s daily politics programme on Friday, the former minister said Edun was considered one of the best Nigerians at the time of his appointment.
“I wanted to tell him that I don’t envy him. He is a very good Nigerian, but he is a misfit in a political arrangement like the one we have in place.
“He is a misfit because Wale Edun is a somebody who has integrity. And I think he tolerated it to the extent that his integrity was going to break, and he had to throw in the towel,” he said
Recall that last week, the Presidency announced a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), leading to the exit of two cabinet members and the appointment of new officials to strategic ministries.
The development was conveyed in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
According to the statement, Edun and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, were relieved of their duties as part of efforts to restructure the cabinet.
Following the shake-up, Taiwo Oyedele, who previously served as Minister of State for Finance, was elevated to the role of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Speaking, Dalung said Edun was one of his close friends during his time as minister and used to visit him frequently.
However, he said that since Edun’s inauguration as finance minister, he has not taken his calls.
He added that he did not want to bother him, preferring to allow him to focus on his role as a minister under Tinubu’s administration.
“When he finishes, we will continue with our friendship. Now, nobody is as close to Mr Tinubu as Wale Edun. He has been with Tinubu for a very long time. If he could be handled in this manner, then nobody jumping around Tinubu,” he said.
When asked about claims that Edun resigned on health grounds, he said he agreed with the explanation because that was the official media statement, adding that he understands what they are trying to communicate to Nigerians.