Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, has asked Godwin
Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to resign his
position if he wants to contest the presidency.
Three interest groups procured
the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for
Emefiele.
The representatives of the coalition of three groups — “rice
farmers”, “Emefiele Support Group” and “Friends of Godwin Emefiele” — were said
to have picked the form on Friday at the International Conference Centre (ICC)
in Abuja.
The development stirred varied reactions on social media as
some Nigerians queried the possibility of the CBN governor contesting the
presidency while in office.
Speaking on the development in a statement, Akeredolu said
Emefiele cannot participate actively in partisan politics and also hold the
position of CBN governor.
“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office,
immediately, for him to pursue his interest,” the Ondo governor said.
“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.
“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.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com