May 07, (THEWILL) – The Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has called for the immediate resignation of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, following the purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential form on Friday.
Akeredolu, who stated this in a statement he personally signed on Friday, expressed shock and disbelief over the development, adding that Emefiele’s entrance into the 2023 presidential race portends great danger to the fragile economy of the country.
THEWILL reports that the Presidential nomination and expression of interest forms were purchased by a coalition of farmers and other support groups for the Central Bank Governor.
They said the decision was reached having realised that the CBN governor is one of the trusted and tested Nigerians that have the commitment and competence to protect the interests of farmers across the country and give priority to commodity and agricultural value chain.
Although authoritative sources close to Emefiele told THEWILL that he has not accepted the forms, Akeredolu, however, noted that if he proceeds to submit the form without resigning his position as the governor of CBN, it would amount to illegality.
The statement reads:”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 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 actualising 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.
“This is a joke taken too far.”
