By The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has responsed to heavy criticisms that followed the decision of some of his associates to purchase the presidential expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his behalf.
It would be recalled that associates of Emefiele purchased the APC nomination forms pegged at N100 million, on Friday. Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had condemned the move, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the apex bank governor.
Reacting to the development, Emefiele declared that he is yet to make a final decision to join the 2023 presidential race.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, the CBN governor appreciated the group — comprising of farmers and friends — for obtaining the forms for him, saying he would decide whether to run in the coming days.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
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 1/4
— Godwin I. Emefiele (@GodwinIEmefiele) May 7, 2022
Meanwhile, should Emefiele decide to run, he would be expected to tender his resignation to President Muhammadu Buhari, as Section 7 of the CBN Act 2007 forbids him from venturing into any other vocation while in office and must resign in writing to the President if he nursed such intention.
