2023: Let Nigerians have heart attacks on me – CBN Governor Emefiele

The Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said it’s good the Nigerians have a heart attack on me over the controversy surrounding his rumoured presidential bid.

Mr Emefiele said this on Thursday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

When newsmen confronted him with 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, Emefiele replied, “Let them have heart attacks. It’s good to have a heart attack.”

This is as he said that despite the current outrage by Nigerians, the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, and the international community, he is “having fun.”

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, 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.

Last Friday, a group of farmers and businesspersons had 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.

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”.

It was unclear whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari had the powers to order Mr Emefiele’s resignation or dismissal because the CBN Act emphasises the independence of CBN from external influence, though President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Lamido Sanusi as CBN governor in 2014.

Although the decision was deemed highly controversial, it was never invalidated by the courts.

Meanwhile, the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after its 96th National Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday night, 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.”

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