The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has denied buying Presidential form to contest the 2023 election after facing harsh criticism from Nigerians.
Since the news broke on Friday, Mr Emefiele has come under intense pressure. On Friday both Oby Ezekwesili and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state demanded his immediate resignation describing Mr Emefiele’s action as tantamount to economic sabotage.
“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision,” Mr Emefiele said on Twitter, adding that some farmers bought the form for him.
“I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms.
“I thank them most profusely. However, Should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own Nomination Forms without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. And should I not run for elected office.
“I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s Divine intervention: in the next few days The Almighty will so direct,” he said.
Mr Emefiele’s claim contradicts the confirmation APC officials that he bought nomination form and will be running for president.
Speaking on the move, Mr Akeredolu said the CBN boss has an undeniable right to associate and participate in any group.
“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 actualising his ambition,” he added.
“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,” Mr Akeredolu said.
“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office immediately, for him to pursue 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.
