Why Senate Should Not Confirm Emefiele’s Reappointment – Deji Adeyanju

Human right activist Comrade Deji Adeyanju has urged the Nigeria Senate not to confirm the reappointment of Godwin Emefiele as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a letter to the Senate asking the upper legislative chambers to confirm the reappointment of Emefiele for a second term.

This is coming after an audio leak where the CBN governor was allegedly heard discussing with his colleagues about a business deal gone bad.

The CBN on Sunday scrambled a rebuttal to deny the report that it lost over N500 billion in private investment.

Sahara Reporters had reported a conversation involving the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele; his deputy, Edward Adamu; the Director of Finance, Dayo Arowosegbe; and the Special Adviser to the CBN Governor, Emmanuel Ukeje.

The online medium said the discussion of the top CBN officials was about a plot to cover up the huge loss after a private investment in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, went bad.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Deji Adeyanju stated that the entire country is fervently following the second-term screening for the reappointment of Emefiele.

The statement reads: “This screening is of particular interest to every Nigerian because it epitomizes the pinnacle of integrity-test for public servants, which must be carried out with utmost sincerity and diligence, especially at this time when our country is failing morally and institutionally.

“It must be stated that Mr Emefiele, according to reports by popular online news platform, SaharaReporters, has been alleged of mismanaging and looting public funds in the Central Bank to the tune of 500 Billion Naira. This is surely a huge disaster for the economic future of Nigeria and must not be dismissed triflingly.

“It must also be stated that due to the weighty nature of the audio recording which presently serves as the proof of Mr. Emefiele’s misconduct, and his inability to controvert the recording, the burden to salvage Nigeria from the hands of seemingly corrupt and morally deficient Public Servants like Mr Emefiele rests squarely on the Nigerian Senate and its decision during the current second-term screening of the embattled Governor.

“The Nigerian people and indeed the world over are hoping that the Eight Senate will not fall short of expectation in denying Mr Emefiele a second-term confirmation, especially because the Eight Senate had once proven its strong aversion towards anti-corruption by refusing to confirm the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, due to allegations of corruption made against him by a report of the DSS.

“Indubitably, the legacy of the Eight Senate is presently at enviable heights considering the successes that have been recorded thus far, including the passage of the NotTooYoungToRun and PoliceReform Bills, among others.

“It will, therefore, be terribly retrogressive to allow whatsoever political pressure drive this lofty institution into making an anti-people and morally shameful decision of confirming Mr Godwin Emefiele for a second term, at the risk of subjecting Nigeria’s economic and commonwealth to more looting and plunder.

“Consequently, it must be clearly stated that the Nigerian people are expecting the Eight Senate to not only deny Mr Emefiele a second-term reappointment, but to also ensure that investigation and prosecution are duly employed to ensure justice on the matter, and deterrence in the future.

“By doing this, the Eight Senate will not only be fulfilling its obligation as a moral compass in a democracy but also as a worthy model for the Ninth Senate and others to come in future.

“The above-mentioned must be noted well as the credibility and achievements of the Eight Senate may be badly stained and diminished should it refuse to abide by the wishes of the Nigerian people by denying Mr Emefiele a reappointment.

“Also, the mobilization of angry citizens might inevitably follow if the Eight Senate confirms Mr Emefiele for a second term. Hopefully, the Eight Senate will use its unalloyed wisdom to do what is right in the best interest of the Nigerian people and the entire country.

“In conclusion, therefore, I use this medium to call on President Buhari and the EFCC chairman to prove that they are interested in really fighting corruption and not only members of the opposition.”