Godwin Emefiele: taking the jokes too far. By Okwo Romeon.

  The rumors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, contesting the presidency come as striking rumors to some of us. It was an ambition taken beyond many Nigerians' imagination. At first, I was minding my business, thinking such a thing could not happen, looking at the statutory rules governing the Act of the Apex bank. But this is Nigeria, my country, where the least imagined things can happen.  First, the news started flying in that a group of young Nigerians under the auspices of "Emefiele Friends" are contributing money among themselves to raise a hundred million naira to purchase a nomination form for Godwin Emefiele and then persuade the CBN governor to stand for the presidency.    The news stories about this group keep trending both in mainstream and social media. Interestingly, nobody takes this group seriously and neither does the CBN governor nor his personal aids, having seen or heard of the activities of the group, issue any press statements denying the projection of the group. It was just obvious that the group were playing and dancing to the tune of their master, the CBN governor, whose motive had been prepared for the right time.   

Another striking point of the CBN story was when the group purchased fleets of cars branded with the names of Emefiele for 2023. It was his declaration that awakened Nigerians to the true picture of the group. Although many Nigerians expected that at this point, the governor would have come out and dispelled the rumors, knowing fully well that,the Act which protects his position as the Central Bank governor does not allow him to marry his job with any form of active politics.   Before then, the perception of Emefiele and co. was that of a denial, as many friends of Emiefele have come out to defend their boss's position on the matter. alleging the governor has the right to contest. Many Nigerians, like myself, are not surprised at them because we know they are errand boys with no acceptable integrity whose only job is to stoop for politicians on jobs like this for survival.    The call by many prominent Nigerians and civic society organizations (Cso) for the sack of the CBN governor to people like me is even coming very late. The CBN governor has allowed this politicking too far for him to tell Nigerians that "if he wanted to contest the presidency, he would use his hard-earned money to buy his form by himself, and the next day, his lawyers are finding laws suit for his right to contest at the high court."   As the public outburst gains more momentum for the sack of the Apex bank boss, Nigerians are still beging for answers to know why the CBN governor had denied a link to the group all these days when he knew, if he had come clean, he could still seek the court interpretation of his eligibility. Why is the CBN governor going to court to validate his relationship with the group now, after the public has railed against him and by asking President Buhari to fire him?    As Nigerians await the ruling on the application of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) led by the High Chief himself, Mike Ozikmieme, at the high court, the fibres of morality of public office holders will continue to be a nightmare to most Nigerians.   The frantic moves by the CBN governor now might have been a calculated move to save his face, having known his chances at the poll and that he may not want to lose the CBN job. He felt the need to apply the weak force of the Nigerian judiciary.  I believe the well-informed CBN governor knew all this, but maybe the black man gene for more power and material things also runs through him just as the quest for relevance becomes inelastic.  

Now that he has shown Nigerians by overwhelming perception that he is no longer interested in his job, he should honourably resign his office. Nowhere in the world do countrymen get the kind of service like the ones the current Corp of Public officers are giving Nigerians. We must rise to the occasion as a people and say, "No, enough is enough." After all, perception is more than action.    Since Emefiele has shown this in his silence till the last minute, he should bow out whether he is connected to the group or not. Nigerians will refuse to believe in any court rulings that will retain "him" Emefiele in office with his membership of a ruling political party at a time like this. The elites of this country must stop chickening our laws and provide directions,if it is not so. I foresee trouble ahead.