Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has called for the immediate sack of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, for his alleged decision to contest in the 2023 presidential election.
The Ondo State Governor made the call after the CBN Governor reportedly picked the N100m presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday.
Before the form purchase, banners and advert materials of the CBN Governor aged, 60, and who has been in office since 2014 have been circulating in public even as his support groups have been mobilising for him across the country, holding conferences and rallies.
However the CBN Governor had recently denied his intention towards the 2023 presidential race.
Reacting to the development in a statement he personally signed, Akeredolu, conceded that “it is within the constitutional rights of the CBN Governor to belong to any group of his choice and vie for any office he desires.”
The Ondo State Governor in the statement titled “The CBN Governor Must Disengage Forthwith,” submitted that “it is difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in pursuit of his ambition.”
He held that the combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate by Mr Emefiele.
The Statement also confirmed the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
It read: “The news of the purchase of Declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of the President in the forthcoming general elections, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, purportedly by the supporters of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has been received with palpable disbelief and shock by many Nigerians. This act, if unchecked, timeously, portends great danger to the fragile economy of the country.
“Rumours had been rife on the subterranean partisan activities linked to him through these shadowy characters in the recent weeks. Pictures of branded vehicles, ostensibly purchased for electioneering campaigns, were also posted on the social media. The audacious moves by those who claimed to be supporting this interest have been unsettling.
“This latest news confirms that the Governor may indeed be interested in immersing himself in the murky waters of politics like any other Nigerian with partisan interests. It is incontrovertible that Mr Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association and participate fully, just as any Nigerian.
“It is, however, difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in actualizing his ambition.
“There is no gain asserting the obvious. The combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes not only the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate.
“It also confirms the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest. He cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office. Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith.”
