BREAKING: Buhari orders CBN Governor Emefiele to resign

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to resign on or before May 16, 2022 over his intention to run for president in the upcoming general elections.

Recall that Emefiele had purchased N100 million Presidential nomination forms under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Emefiele has rejected calls to step down and protect the independence and impartiality of the central bank, but he rejected the calls despite actively seeking the presidential nomination of the ruling APC.

He has filed a lawsuit asking a Federal Judge to declare him suitable to run for president while serving as CBN governor. A decision is expected later today on the matter.

It was unclear whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari had the powers to order Mr Emefiele’s resignation or dismissal because the CBN Act emphasises the independence of CBN from external influence, though President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Lamido Sanusi as CBN governor in 2014.

Although the decision was deemed highly controversial, it was never invalidated by the courts.

Moreover, Buhari also directed serving ministers in the cabinet, heads of government agencies, ambassadors and other political appointees with political ambitions 2023 to resign from the government.

The circular, dated May 11, 2022, with Ref. No.SGF/OP/l/S.3/Xll/173, was issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

The circular was addressed to all serving ministers, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service and heads of extra-ministerial departments, Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of parastatals, agencies and government-owned companies among others.

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Mustapha said President Muhammadu Buhari had observed and noted the expression of interest and intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads of Extra-Ministerial departments, agencies, parastatals of government, ambassadors and other political office holders to contest the upcoming Presidential, Gubernatorial, National and State Assemblies’ elections.

According to him, for smooth running of the machinery of government and the country’s foreign missions, the affected ministers are to hand over to the Ministers of State where they exist or to the Permanent Secretary, where there is no Minister of State.

Ambassadors are to hand over to their Deputy Heads of Mission or the most Senior Foreign Service Officer in line with established practices.

“Similarly, Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies and Parastatals are to hand over to the most senior Director/Officer as may be peculiar to the organisation, in line with the service-wide Circular No. SGF.50/S. Il/C.2/268 of 4th December, 2017,” the circular said.

Mustapha added that the contents of the circular and the incidental directives take effect immediately.

However, about four ministers have resigned following the directive from President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

They are the Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of State For Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Other members of the Cabinet who are still expected to resign are Abubakar Malami, Justice, Uche Ogar, State For Mines and Steel, Chris Ngige, Labour and Employment.

Uche Ogar, who is contesting for the Abia State APC governorship ticket, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen declared her intention to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State. Also affected is the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, who is running for the governorship of Kebbi State.

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