Against criticism by some Nigerians and groups, a civil society organization with the mandate of advancing political leadership and development has maintained that the presidential aspiration of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele remains a step in the right direction for Nigeria.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Executive Director and Secretary General, African leadership strategy and transparency development initiative, Comrade Nelson Ossaieze and Basah Mohammed, the CSO stressed that given situation the most populous African nation has found itself the expertise and character of the current governor of the apex bank is needed to return Nigeria to the path of progress.
The CSO noted that Emefiele’s exceptional track record and contributions in the agricultural sector and the economy made him as the best candidate to succeed Buhari, while vowing to continue supporting Emefiele and hoping that he will be given the opportunity to take Nigeria to the promised land of speedy development.
The Initiative lampooned some civil society organisations used by politicians to attack the CBN Governor whose work speaks for itself and his strides ostensibly clear for everyone to see.
Part of the statement reads: “The Central Bank Governor is a Nigerian citizen, economist, and financial expert that has served the country very well and is still serving.
It is really unfortunate that some politicians who are threatened by his huge achievements are afraid that someone who can change the negative realities of the country is joining the race and have resorted to a campaign of calumny to undermine his capabilities.
“Politicians who are jittery over Emefiele’s emergency in the 2023 presidential race are the ones throwing up issues of credibility and morality while turning blind eye to the quality the CBN Governor is going to bring on board.
“Under Emefiele as head of the apex bank, elections have been conducted and judged credible, free and fair by local and international observer groups and things will not change because of his ambition, the CBN is a very organized setting and critics should have known better.
“We urge well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the unnecessary steps taken by some Nigerians to rubbish the good work Emefiele has done and the more he could do as president of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“We warn civil society groups to desist from making themselves attack dogs for politicians and face their core mandates of pushing for the right advocacy.
“We remain resolute in our support for Godwin Emefiele’s political ambition and the positives it will bring into Nigeria on a short and long term basis.”
