BY EDMOND ODOK – A non-political group of associates has warned detractors and unassured political actors to desist from sponsoring negative reports against the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, as a way of fanning their selfish personal ambitions ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Noting that the apex bank boss has not indicated interest to contest the presidency in 2023, the group slammed those it described as “blackmailers and political jobbers” for being afraid of Emefiele’s towering personality and impeccable service to Nigeria.
Acting under the aegis of ‘FRIENDS OF GODWIN EMEFIELE’, the group says though the CBN Governor has the constitutional right to aspire and gun for any political office, he is currently focused on leaving a legacy of the buoyant economy for the country in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
According to the group, with the way events are unfolding in the polity ahead of the 2023 general elections, it has become imperative to “address some of the lies and utter falsehood being peddled by blackmailers and political jobbers, who see Godwin Emefiele as a threat to their ambition.”
In its statement titled “Who is afraid of Godwin Emefiele? He’s not even sneezing and they are catching the cold!”, the group said; “In the past few weeks, there have been media reports on the purported interest of the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in the 2023 presidential race, leading to stampede by interested parties and vested interests who are resorting to all sorts of blackmail, sponsored articles and choreographed comments on social media targeted at tainting Godwin Emefiele’s image, impugning his character and legacy.
Blaming “interested parties and vested interests” working to stampede and distract Emefiele, the statement said; “Clearly, the negative attacks are being sponsored by those who see Emefiele as a major threat to their political ambitions.
“Truth is Godwin Emefiele has not confirmed to anyone he is running for President even as he is constitutionally qualified to do so; he has been under pressure in the past few weeks as different groups have been putting up unsolicited campaign for his candidacy.”
Claiming to have met with the apex bank governor to clarify his position, the group said; “Here is what he told us; That he remains focused on his job and will continue supporting the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal government’s economic recovery drive; That he is focused on delivering the mandate of the Central Bank; he is rebuilding the economy of the country through import substitution policies, and using agriculture to create a new rural middle class from the ground up.”
Similarly, the group also quoted the CBN governor as saying that; “Today, he remains humbled by President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to grant him an unprecedented second term as CBN Governor- again without lobbying. Thus he will continue to remain loyal to him and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
On the 2023 presidential race, the group stated thus; “Mr. Emefiele told us that he believes it’s the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to plan his succession in line with global best practices for good governance for the continuing peace and progress of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as such he will play his part to stabilise the economy for an orderly transition.”
“And given that it’s God that anoints leaders, he will leave his faith firmly in the hands of God”, the group added in its statement.
