Posted by Agbor Stakeholders Forum (ASF), a pressure group based in Delta State, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to stop publicly criticizing former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, saying that “he lives in a big glass house” and that his actions could be seen as self-indicting.
In light of the Senate President’s recent public attack on Emefiele during a welcome in his hometown of Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, the forum made the request. President Bola Tinubu was allegedly quoted by Akpabio as saying that the former Central Bank governor “left a big hole in the national treasury,… I still stand by my position” and that he was cleaning up the mess at the event.
Kanene Kachikwu, speaking on behalf of the aggrieved Agbor Stakeholders Forum, recalled that in February of last year, at a function in Rivers State, the Senate President had “publicly and unwarrantedly disparaged Mr. Emefiele, saying to his audience that Emefiele’s crimes were too many, the Federal Government didn’t know what to charge him with.” This had a profound impact on the group.
While scolding Akpabio for his “such careless and baseless statements” against Emefiele, the group cautioned him against what they called “an act of self-annihilation” that could bring shame upon himself and his esteemed position. They also emphasized that Akpabio should not underestimate Emefiele’s professionalism and profound patriotism. They said that Akpabio did not exactly shine during his time as minister and governor, and they went on to declare, “There’s no gainsaying that our brother Emefiele is a saint compared to Akpabio.” It goes without saying that Emefiele reached the pinnacle of his banking career, contributing to the establishment of one of Africa’s most prominent and prestigious financial institutions. At the highest level of the revered bank, he was sought after for the esteemed position of governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
As governor of the CBN, Emefiele rescued the Buhari government, according to astute observers. His exemplary initiatives saved Nigeria’s economy from the doom that befell it in the past year. While Buhari was in office, Emefiele changed the game with his innovative and tailored approach to development funding.
While multiple investigators have turned Emefiele upside down for a year without charging him, Akpabio cannot withstand even the most cursory examination, as we say without reservation.
Lastly, we want to reiterate that our brother has been the victim of a cruel APC power play, and we have said this from the beginning. During the 2023 presidential race, Emefiele found herself caught in the middle of the APC’s presidential battle. We won and lost the election. Thankfully, the much-desired award went to President Tinubu. We want him to be a statesman and be generous. He should pardon Emefiele and fire him immediately; this is particularly important given that this is his first anniversary in office.
“We are willing to go so far as to say that Emefiele has a lot to offer, especially in these uncertain economic times that Nigeria is experiencing right now.”