By Oluwaseun Sonde
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has reacted to the news that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefeile has purchased Declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of President, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Akeredolu said on Friday that this news of the purchased form by Emefeile's supporters received with palpable disbelief and shock by Nigerians, adding that this act, if unchecked, timeously, portends great danger to the fragile economy of the country.
According to him, "Rumours had been rife on the subterranean partisan activities linked to Mr Emefeile through these shadowy characters in the recent weeks.
"Pictures of branded vehicles, ostensibly purchased for electioneering campaigns, were also posted on the social media. The audacious moves by those who claimed to be supporting this interest have been unsettling".
The Governor stated that the latest news confirms that CBN 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".
Akeredolu further said 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 actualizing 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", Ondo Governor emphasized.
Consequently, Akeredolu admonished Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest. "Mr Emefeile 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", Ondo Governor added.
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