The South West Democratic Agenda for Tinubu 2027, a key political support group for President Bola Tinubu in Nigeria’s South West, has fiercely criticized Finance Minister Wale Edun, accusing him of leading the country into a fiscal crisis with a “historic zero percent capital budget performance” in 2025. The group has called for his immediate resignation, arguing that his leadership has deepened Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement released on Monday, signed by President Otunba Adedayo Adewole, the group slammed Edun for failing both President Tinubu and Nigerians who expected effective economic management. “Wale Edun should resign and go home. His zero percent capital budget performance is a disgraceful failure, unprecedented in Nigeria’s history,” Adewole said.
The group highlighted that, despite domestic and foreign borrowing, Edun’s ministry has failed to service debts or implement the 2025 Appropriation Act as September begins. “This administration is drifting without a fiscal anchor. Unlike the previous government under President Buhari, which implemented its budgets despite challenges, Edun’s leadership has left Nigeria stranded,” Adewole added.
The statement emphasized that the Appropriation Act represents the government’s social contract with citizens, and its non-implementation denies Nigerians essential infrastructure like roads, hospitals, schools, and power. “A zero percent performance means zero progress. Nigerians are suffering while the government claims to be in charge,” Adewole noted.
The group, instrumental in securing South West votes for Tinubu in 2023, expressed dismay that the region’s support is being met with “reckless economic mismanagement.” They described the economic hardship as “man-made and avoidable,” blaming Edun’s poor policy choices and indifference to citizens’ suffering.
The group also called out the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to hold Edun accountable and demand budget implementation. “Silence from the legislature would be treachery against Nigerians,” Adewole warned.
While reaffirming loyalty to President Tinubu, the group urged him to replace Edun with a competent leader to restore confidence. “Nigerians voted for Tinubu, not Edun. The mandate is not a license for failure. For the sake of the nation and the 2027 elections, Edun must resign,” Adewole concluded.
