Zamfara State Governor, Bello
Matawalle, has come forward to raise concerns and urge President
Muhammadu
Buhari to intervene in an alleged plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to flee the country and avoid being held accountable
for his actions during his eight-year tenure. Matawalle asserts that Emefiele’s
intention to leave Nigeria on overseas study leave before the end of his second
term is a deliberate attempt to escape scrutiny regarding the mismanagement of
the country’s financial and monetary systems.
Emefiele was initially appointed
as the CBN governor in 2014 by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
President Buhari later reappointed him for a second five-year term in 2019.
However, Emefiele caused controversy in 2022 when he ventured into partisan
politics, violating the provisions of the CBN Act.
Furthermore, Emefiele oversaw the
redesign of some Naira notes in preparation for the 2023 presidential election.
Although he claimed the move aimed to combat counterfeit notes, many political
observers believed it was a tactic to hinder Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential
aspirations.
In response to reports about
Emefiele’s plan to proceed on study leave before the May 29 swearing-in of
Tinubu, Governor Matawalle implores President Buhari to cancel any leave
approval granted to the CBN chief. In a personally signed statement, he asserts
that the President should prioritize the peaceful transfer of power,
accountability, and good governance. Emefiele’s tenure as the CBN governor
involved implementing detrimental policies such as the disastrous Naira swap
program and the Naira confiscation program, which caused significant hardship
for Nigerians and set the economy back.
Governor Matawalle, along with
two other governors, previously took legal action against the Federal
Government to challenge the ill-advised policies introduced by Emefiele. He
insists that it is unacceptable for Emefiele to seek study leave with ten
months remaining in his tenure, as it appears to be an attempt to evade
accountability. Matawalle urges President Buhari not to allow this and insists
that Emefiele must stay in his position to provide a comprehensive account of
his actions to the incoming administration. He emphasizes the need for Emefiele
to address any questions the new regime may have, considering the time left in
his term.
Furthermore, Matawalle expresses
concerns about other officials within the outgoing government who may be
planning to leave the country at this critical time when they are required to
answer specific questions. He believes these plans are dangerous and suggest
that these officials have something to hide. He urges the cancellation of any
approved leave or foreign postings for officers in the outgoing government to
ensure a smooth transition and prevent hindrances for the incoming
administration.
Governor Matawalle concludes by
highlighting the importance of accountability, transparency, and
anti-corruption, which President Buhari has championed throughout his tenure.
He emphasizes that any attempt to evade accountability is not in the interest
of the country or the principles the President has strived to uphold. Matawalle
speaks out as a patriotic Nigerian and concerned governor, appealing to President
Buhari to intervene and prevent any efforts to avoid rendering accounts of
stewardship.
