A group, Ethnic Youth Leaders (EYL), has expressed reservation statements against the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, of Ondo State, constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, as well as activist publisher, Omoyele Sowore, following his perceived 2023 presidential ambition.
Recall that three groups, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, (RIFAN), ‘Friends of Emefiele’ and ‘Emefiele Support Group’, on Friday, purchased the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the CBN Governor to vie for the presidential seat in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
The development has drawn attention, attracting a barrage of criticisms against the CBN Governor. Some of the critics, among whom are the Ondo and Sokoto State governors, have asked the financial expert to turn in his resignation letter as CBN Governor to concentrate on his political career.
But the EYL, in an issued statement yesterday, by its leader, Kabiru Yusuf, took exception to the criticisms that have trailed the development, noting that leaving out the current President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who also obtained the form, and singling Emefiele out in the actions was an ethnic bias.
The statement further reads: “We have just witnessed a brazen display of ethnic bigotry from the likes of Governor Akeredolu, Professor Sagay, and Omoyele Sowore, who have come out to openly attack the person of the CBN Governor upon hearing that a form has been purchased for him.
”They are calling for his resignation while also keeping mute on the purchase of the APC nomination form by the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, who holds a similar office. Why not also ask Adesina to resign, or call for his sack.
“This only amounts to ethnic attack against the CBN Governor, who is not their kinsman. Therefore, we ask them to cease their rants, as they hold no water and will not affect the determination of Nigerians who want to see a capable and most qualified leader in the person of Godwin Emefiele joining the 2023 presidential race”.
