From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Chairman, South West Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, to jettison his plan to contest the presidential election next year or resign from office and join active partisan politics.
Akeredolu said Emefiele could not contest the presidential election while holding a sensitive office like the headship of the CBN. He, therefore, advised him to resign, if he desires to contest for any elective position.
He said the constitution is clear on the right of Emefiele to contest as a citizen of Nigeria, but his current position poses a serious moral challenge on his right to contest.
In a statement, which he signed himself, Akeredolu described Emefiele’s ambition as a joke taken too far.
The statement reads in part: “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, were also posted on the social media. The audacious moves by those who claimed to be supporting this interest have been unsettling.
“This latest news confirms that the CBN 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!”