The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Thursday 12th May 2022, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja behind closed doors.
When approached by newsmen immediately after the meeting, Mr Emefiele stated that his fate was still being decided as regards the controversy surrounding his presidential bid.
On the notion that his current position as a presidential aspirant and the CBN governor is a major point of concern for Nigerians and even the international community, he replied, “Let them have heart attacks. It’s good to have a heart attack.”
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He further disclosed that despite the current outrage by Nigerians, the main opposition, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and the international community, he was ‘having fun’ over everything.
Emefiele’s assertion comes barely 24 hours after the President ordered members of his cabinet vying for various elective positions to resign on or before May 16, 2022.
Also, a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha with reference number SGF/OP/ I/S.3/XII/ 173, titled, ‘Ministers, heads of government agencies, ambassadors and other appointees with political ambitions to resign’, ordered all heads of agencies, departments, parastatals, and ambassadors with political ambitions to resign.
It could be recalled that on Friday, 6th May 2022, a group of farmers and businesspersons had reportedly purchased the N100m presidential nomination forms of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for Emefiele, a move he said he did not influence.
The CBN Governor had earlier gone to court to challenge the Public Service Rule that requires public office holders to resign their positions before contesting elective positions.
While asked to respond to reports that Buhari had directed him to resign, Emefiele said, “There is no news now, but there will be news. You heard me, I said there is no news but there will be news”.
The main opposition party in the country, the PDP, after its 96th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, 11th May 2022 restated its call for Emefiele’s sacking, arrest and investigation.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, “NEC restated the call by the party for the immediate resignation, arrest and prosecution of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for alleged manipulations and financial impropriety in the CBN which contributed to the collapse of our national economy.
“NEC vehemently rejected the continued stay of Mr. Emefiele as CBN Governor after being confirmed as a card-carrying member of the APC.
“The CBN is the custodian and keeper of all INEC sensitive materials used in all elections. Having been confirmed as a member of the APC, Mr. Emefiele can no longer be trusted with INEC sensitive materials which are key to guaranteeing free, fair and credible elections.”
At this juncture, it’s very clear and understandable that Mr Emefiele is really playing on the intelligence and intellectual ability of Nigerians, in their entirety. Not minding his previous actions and inactions, he still further tendered such provoking statements in the public sphere as if the citizens are dummies.
Having gone this far, he doesn’t deserve a resignation at this point, but a sack letter. Understanding that he is actually playing politics with the country’s economy, it’s unequivocally needless to demand for his resignation; he ought to rather be sacked by the President, unless there’s something they are not telling us.
Under Mr Emefiele’s watch, Nigeria’s currency, Naira, has become almost so useless in the international community, yet he isn’t bothered. Rather than hiding his face in shame, he’s further ridiculing the country’s status in the global space.