Why President Tinubu sacked Edun, Dangiwa — Sources

Sources have confirmed to The Eagle Online why President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday sacked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

The sack of the two ministers was confirmed in a memo by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

According to the sources, Edun was accused of slowing down the pace of the government with his administrative style.

Described as finicky, his style of administration was said to have resulted in what was reported to have led to the withholding of capital releases; delayed release of recurrent expenditures to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); and stalling payments to contractors.

Indeed, some contractors were seen in viral videos celebrating the removal of Edun from office on Tuesday.

The contractors had protested several times over delayed payments despite agreements for scheduled payments.

Some of them were said to have even accused Edun of favouring others “in whom he has interest”.

However, the sources summed this up under the fact that the former Minister only had his way of handling things, which made him “go over and over documents to be sure that by the time he is leaving office, no one can accuse him of having committed any infraction, especially sleaze.

“He was thus deemed slow in attending to files that required the release of funds, with some people accusing him of favouring firms in which he has interest.

“But this was his own way of ensuring that things run well and that he has a clean sheet when he leaves office.”

The Eagle Online was also told that President Tinubu had stylishly through third parties reached out to Edun for him to resign.

However, he did not heed this advice as he kept going on.

One of the sources said: “In Yorubaland, there is a saying that if you want a deaf parent to hear a particular thing, you say it in the presence of their child or children.

“That way, they will pass the message to such a parent.

“But all those to whom the President complained about the administrative style of the former minister and who certainly must have mentioned it to him did not see the expected changes or his resignation.

“The expectation was that he either changes the style or resign under whatever pretext, including health.

“However, he didn’t.

“So when the President felt he couldn’t take it again, he had to call for his exit.

“It wasn’t anything personal or any accusation of theft.

“It was just to ensure that things run smoothly in the administration and as fast as the President wants it.”

On Dangiwa, the sources said there were no specific allegations of wrongdoing but noted that there have been complaints about his approach to projects.

One of them said it is the same with any Ministry that handles large quantities of capital projects, especially construction, where interests abound.

The source said: “You can’t be in such a Ministry and not have several complaints hanging on your neck.

“That is the challenge with ministers such as Dangiwa.”

The source said his replacement was further influenced by concerns raised about the ministry’s performance.

“Indeed, the President wants faster and quicker responses in the housing sector.

“Nigeria needs to ramp up its housing sector.

“We are far behind.”

In the memo that announced the cabinet reshuffle, Muttaqha Rabe Darma was named as Minister-Designate for Housing and Urban Development.

Dangiwa was directed to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated: “All handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Akume said in the statement: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He added that the President exercised his powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution in making the changes.

He said the President thanked the outgoing ministers for their service and assured that his administration’s reforms would continue. (Eagle Online)