Akeredolu To Emefiele: Your Presidential Bid Taken Too Far, Resign Now; CBN Gov. Rejects Forms

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor,  Rotimi Akeredolu has described the Presidential ambition of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele as ‘ a joke taken too far,’ and asked him to resign his appointment.

Emefiele on Friday, officially, purchased the 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, (APC). He, however, said in a post on his official page that the forms were purchased for him by grateful farmers. He has rejected the forms, he said.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the CBN Governor cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office.

He said it is incontrovertible that 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 actualizing his ambition.”

Akeredolu, who is Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, and advocate of a Southerner becoming President, said should Emefiele refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith.

“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.”

In Emefiele’s post on Saturday, he said:

“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.

“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.”