Nigerians have reacted to the comments of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over rising interest in his 2023 presidential ambition.
Following a statement by Emefiele that a group of farmers and patriots had bought the N100 million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for him, there have been reactions from different parts of the country.
Reacting to the controversy that the comment had sparked off via his verified Twitter handle, Emefiele on Saturday, May 7, stated that he will make his position known in the next few days.
In his words: “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.
“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,” he said.
Nigerians have however reacted with disbelief and disgust to Emefiele’s comment about his ambition, tagging it as deceitful.
Once tagged a respected technocrat, Nigerians who have taken to social media slammed the former banker for his political statement and for being a card-carrying member of a political party despite still holding a public office.
Emefiele’s reaction has also raised questions about his respect for ethics, even as many including Oby Ezekwesili, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Ebun Oluwa Adegboruwa, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) have all called for his immediate resignation as CBN’s governor.
In a statement released and signed by Akeredolu on Friday, May 6, he described the CBN governor’s move as “a joke taken too far”, and asked the President to fire Emefiele if he refused to voluntarily resign.
On her part, Ezekwesili, described Emefiele’s ambition as being an ”ill-fated political career”, demanding that he resigns immediately.
See some reactions below:
In a social media post, Ochikolota Umunwanyi 1 of Biafra with the handle @Ambrosia_Ijebu wrote: “Nna, amma keep it real with you. There is no growing interest, you feel me? If you want to run come outside, stop wasting time.”
On his part, Signor Alessandro with the handle @_thecapitaine wrote: “The man dey disguise.”
Ejiofor Onyishi with the handle @EjioforOnyishi shared his thoughts writing: “You’re still in public office picking up 100m form to contest 4 president is that not corruption in highest order, no wonder our economy keep on collapsing on daily basis & your cashing out on exchange rate, impunity in this Buhari gov is getting out of hands.”
FO @femiwole wrote “Sir, Are you a registered member of the APC? The answer to this is crucial. Mother of lies. You’re deceitful.”
“Oga no deceive yourself. No carry ABP money go buy form oo. We farmers and processors need all the funds we can get to reduce our dependence on importation. Do your job!!,, CyberZeus with the handle @Cyberhalogen wrote.
IamEmpero with the handle @IamEmpero_ Everest @novieverest wrote Godwin Emefiele trying to disguise by claiming he knows nothing about the form and that Nigerians that can’t afford bread under his leadership of CBN are truly urging him to contest and fail more. This world and lies.”
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