Protesters storm the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday calling for the resignation of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Goodwin Emefiele.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria went to the street with placard calling for him to resign or be sacked.
It cited failure of the governor to clear himself of alleged criminal activities that has polluted the country as one of the reasons for its call for his resignation.
This was contained in a letter addressed to the Governor of CBN by the leadership of the NYCN.
The letter was read by the President, NYCN, Comrade Solomon Adodo.
The NYCN stated that the patriotic request is pursuant to Section 11(3) of the CBN Act which provides that: “the Governor or any Deputy Governor may resign his office by giving at least three months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so.
“You could recall that in conjunction with other Civil Society Groups, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) led a protest to your office on December 23, 2022, requesting your immediate resignation, and giving the reasons for the call.
“We need not remind you that you are fully aware of the true reason why the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to question and to investigate you fully.
“The fact that you have introduced politics into your alleged crimes against the Nigerian State cannot change the fact.”
It said that its invitation by the DSS has absolutely nothing to do with any of the policies of the CBN.
“The claims of your hirelings are not only irresponsible, but an unfortunate mischief taken to a ridiculous level.
“It is on record that in all your voodoo economic policies, destructive Forex regime and alleged corruption, the DSS has never for once interfered; the agency has never expressed any economic opinion directly or indirectly because it is outside its mandate, and it has conducted itself always very professionally,” he said.
Therefore, it said the CBN Governor claims of persecution have no nexus, history, variables and certainly, no fact.
“The truth is that you are a fugitive from justice,” it said.
The letter reads in part: “The CBN governor have in recent times clearly abused Sections 9 and 11(2)(a & c) of the CBN Act and therefore have no more legal or moral currency to remain as the Governor of CBN and that for the records, Section 9 of the CBN Act forbids him from venturing into any activity that will distract him from his full-time duties.
“The NYCN maintains its stand that your not-too-covert aspiration for the Presidency of the country while in office was a monumental distraction contrary to the above quoted section.
“Furthermore, we contend that you cannot continue to run an important institution like the CBN from overseas. And since you have not formally sought an asylum, which the NYCN will gladly support you if it has merits, the only other reason that must have kept you abroad or away from office for so long must be ill-health, except you wish to admit that you are running from justice.”
The NYCN opined that Emefiele breached Section 11 (2) (a & c) of the CBN Act, and as such should cease to be in office.
The Section states that: “The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the bank if he: (a)becomes of unsound mind or owing to ill-health, is incapable of carrying out his duties; (c)is guilty of a serious misconduct in relation to his duties under this Act.
“Consequently, we demand that you begin the process of your resignation as stated under the CBN Act 2007, or face a Nationwide Youth Mass Action. For someone who has aspired for the office of the President of Nigeria, you should cease to continue to bring shame to yourself and the exalted office of CBN Governor.”
