The alleged move by a section of Governors across the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as a compromise candidate in the 2023 presidential election has been roundly deprecated by the Nigeria Equity Group (NEG).

Some media reports had disclosed that the Publisher of THISDAY newspapers and President of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Prince Nduka Obaigbena was working in cahoots with some captains of industry led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, to ensure that the CBN Governor becomes the next President of Nigeria.

The group was said to have claimed that their agenda was to rescue the country and reposition it for growth and development. Emefiele was reported to have topped the group`s shopping list because, in their rating, he would help protect their business interests and he is better placed among other candidates “to reconnect the missing links in the nation`s economy”.

In his reaction, the National Convener of the Nigeria Equity Group (NEG), Dr. Emeka Nwosu deplored the subterranean manoeuvres of the group, stating that it was undemocratic and antithetical to the wishes and aspirations of the people. Dr. Nwosu described the actions of the group as a grand conspiracy to foist a malleable candidate on the country that would be subject to manipulation by the serving Governors who are known to be strong and influential within the polity.

Dr. Nwosu noted that the CBN of any nation is an independent institution that regulates the economy, and therefore requires protection from political interference. He argued that by pushing the CBN Governor into the presidential race, the group was dragging the CBN, a vital national institution, into the arena of partisan politics with dire consequences for the economy.

Dr. Nwosu advised Emefiele against succumbing to the plots of the concerned Governors, but instead face his job squarely as the manager of the economy or in the alternative resign from his position if he must run for the President of the country. The NEG boss was of the view that the move to drag the CBN Governor into politics would be counter-productive. He therefore advised Emefiele to shun the overtures of the Governors because their actions are capable of heating up the polity.

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