CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Said He Has Not Concluded To Run For 2023 Presidency
Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says he has not decided whether or not to run for president, hours after a group paid for his nomination form in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The apex bank boss thanked individuals who donated money for the purchase in a series of tweets on his official handle on Saturday, but said if he runs for the job, he would buy the form himself.
“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.”
Several Nigerians, including Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, had criticized the CBN governor before the clarification.
Akeredolu called him to quit in a statement posted late Friday, and urged Buhari to fire the CBN governor if he did not.
“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest,” Akeredolu said.
“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.”
