By our reporter| Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on Friday advised Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to resign his position if he wants to contest the 2023 presidency.
Three pro Emefiele groups earlier on Friday reportedly purchased the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the apex bank governor.
Various reactions trailed the move on social media with many Nigerians querying the suitability of Emefiele contesting the presidency while in office.
Reacting to the development on Friday in a statement, Akeredolu said Emefiele cannot participate actively in partisan politics and also hold the position of CBN governor.
He said, “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.
“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.”
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