A United Kingdom-based Nigerian finance broadcaster, Juliana Olayinka, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Wale Edun as the Minister of Finance.
NPO Reported that Edun was on Tuesday relieved of his duty by the president who appointed the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, as his replacement.
Edun would also be joined in the minor cabinet reshuffle by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Musa Dangiwa, who is now replaced with Muttaqha Rabe Darma.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on her X handle, Olayinka labelled Tinubu’s decision to remove Edun as an unfortunate and potentially miscalculated decision.
The journalist held that the minister’s removal sends wrong signal at a time when consistency, trust, and economic discipline, displayed by Edun during his tenure, are most needed.
“Wishing Mr. Wale Edun the very best as he exits office as Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
“Having watched the politics up close, I can say this is a deeply unfortunate and potentially miscalculated decision for Nigeria’s economic reform journey.
“At a time when consistency, trust and economic discipline are most needed, removing one of the few steady hands at the centre of reform sends the wrong signal.” She wrote.
Olayinka lauded Edun over his contributions to Nigerian economy, stressing that the outgoing minister chose discipline, reform, and stability over what she labelled short-term, schoolboy politics amongst others.
She attributed the revenue gains, fiscal credibility, and investors’ confidence witness over the past few years to the decisions taken by Edun.
“To the dismay of “others” Mr. Wale Edun chose discipline over applause, reform over populism, and stability over short-term, schoolboy politics.
“Many of the gains in revenue, investor confidence and fiscal credibility came from difficult decisions taken by him under immense pressure.
“History will judge this decision more honestly than politics ever will.” Olayinka added.
