The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has requested that Godwin Emefiele resign as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Akeredolu made this statement while describing the news of Emefiele’s purchase of Declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of the President as shocking.
He asked that President Muhammadu Buhari should remove Emefiele as the CBN Governor if he fails to resign, warning that such act, if unchecked, timeously, portends great danger to the fragile economy of Nigeria.
Part of the statement read: “Rumors 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 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.
“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. This is a joke taken too far.”
The Ondo Governor stressed that although Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association just as any Nigerian, “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.”
