The President and Chief Executive of the African Development Studies Centre (ADSC), Sir Victor Oluwafemi, has condemned the circulation of unverified reports about the health of Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, describing the claims as “outright falsehoods lacking medical or factual basis.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Sir Oluwafemi expressed concern over what he called a “disturbing trend” of spreading unsubstantiated medical claims about public officials without proper verification.
Recent online reports alleged that the minister was “unable to move his hands and knees.”
Sir Oluwafemi described the story as false, citing information obtained directly from the minister’s family indicating that Mr. Edun is currently undergoing routine medical evaluation and recuperating well, with all major organs functioning normally.
“It is entirely out of place and medically reckless to declare, without evidence, that his sensory or motor functions have been compromised,” he stated.
Sir Oluwafemi stressed the importance of fairness and responsibility in public commentary, urging citizens and media professionals to protect the dignity of those serving the nation.
“It is imperative that as a nation we support public intellectuals and technocrats contributing to national development.
“We must refrain from misinformation, especially the kind of unverified and negative reportage seen regarding the finance minister,” he said.
The ADSC chief described Edun as “a seasoned technocrat with decades of experience,” adding that while policy debates are natural in a democracy, “his commitment to national service deserves respect, not fabricated health scares designed to undermine confidence in our economic leadership.”
Speaking in his capacity as a knight, Sir Oluwafemi reaffirmed his personal commitment to integrity and truth in public life.
“As a knight, I have taken an oath to serve this nation with integrity, honour, and truth. I cannot remain silent when misinformation threatens both individuals and our institutions,” he said.
He appealed for empathy and restraint in discussing health matters involving public figures, noting that illness is a universal human experience, not a political weapon.
“Behind every headline is a person — a father, a colleague, a servant of the nation — who deserves dignity, privacy, and compassion,” he said.
Sir Oluwafemi cautioned against exploiting illness for political gain, warning that such conduct erodes public morality and mutual respect.
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“To those who seek to turn sickness into scandal, I urge you to reflect on your humanity. Today it is someone else; tomorrow it could be you or someone you love.
“Political disagreements are inevitable, but there are lines we must not cross. Health is one of them,” he added.
He stressed that his comments were not directed at any specific media outlet or individual, but a general call for higher ethical standards in public communication.
“This is about all of us — media professionals, social media users, political leaders, and citizens — committing to truth, accuracy, and humanity,” he said.
Oluwafemi called for a more compassionate national dialogue:
“We are all human. We all fall ill. We all need time to heal. Let us afford each other that basic dignity.
“Let us build a public discourse rooted in truth, compassion, and respect, and protect our public intellectuals and technocrats so that Nigeria can continue to benefit from their expertise and service,” he cautioned.
