Emefiele will frustrate Tinubu’s presidential ambition with naira scarcity, unfit as CBN governor: Akeredolu

“We have said that this man (Mr Emefiele) should be removed when he contested to be president. The man (Mr Emefile) is not fit for that position (CBN governor).”

Tosin Ajuwon • February 15, 2023

Godwin Emefiele, Bola Tinubu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has slammed Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, as unfit to remain in office for attempting to be the next president. He will also frustrate the chances of the All Progressives Congress to win the February 25 presidential election with the persisting naira scarcity.

“We have said that this man (Mr Emefiele) should be removed when he contested to be president. The man (Mr Emefile) is not fit for that position (CBN governor),” Mr Akeredolu was quoted in a statement issued by his spokesman, Richard Olatunde, on Wednesday. “A man who attempted to be president will frustrate us at this time.”

Last week, the Ondo governor filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging the CBN February 10 deadline for the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes to be legal tender, citing the untold hardship scarcity of the new notes have brought on people.

The governor, who spoke while playing host to Seyi Tinubu, Bola Tinubu’s son, who led members of the youth directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, explained, “We have a problem we are facing in this country today. Our rating as a party is not that favourable. Let’s not deceive ourselves. Must it be now that we will have this financial policy?”

Mr Akeredolu added, “How, Fuel and everything? Things are not easy. This policy is not right at this time. It should be reversed. Reserve it and tell CBN that we are reversing it. Let old, and new notes co-exist.”

He lamented that Okada, taxis, and banks “are not taking old notes again. There is an injunction, and everyone is behaving like there is no injunction.”

According to the governor, the choice of Mr Tinubu as APC’s flag bearer for the February 25 poll was based on his competence and track records.

“We didn’t waver when we said that the presidency must come to the South, and when it got to the South, we didn’t waver. We said competence and track record are important,” stated Mr Akeredolu. “Our choice of Asiwaju was premised on the informed decision, not because we are from the same tribe.”

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