The Coalition of Civil Society Groups has come out to show its support for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, over what it considered attempts by a “shadowy, bogus and unscrupulous group parading itself as a civil society organisation” to smear the person of the CBN Governor by “circulating messages threatening a protest against” him.

The group led by Mr Etuk Bassey Williams, who is the President of the group in Nigeria revealed this in a press conference.

Etuk stated that the group behind the campaign of calumny against the CBN Governor is “not (and has never been) a civil society organisation and is therefore not recognised by the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria.”

He also said that, “The political nature of their agenda shows that their intentions are not by any means noble, and their objectives are far from making the lives of ordinary a little bit better. The promoters of this group are persons who are known to be troublesome and have the capacity to disrupt the public peace.”

Exonerating the CBN Governor from the woes that has befallen the country’s economy, Etuk said that, “the Executive Committee of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria fully appreciates the difficulties and anxieties of many Nigerians given the tough economic times that are confronting us. But this situation was not caused by one man or one institution and therefore, it is rather unfair to try to put the blame on any one person or organization. What we need right now are collective and constructive solutions to our structural problems rather than scapegoating.

“And even if we must ‘scapegoat,’ should it be against a man or an institution that have been at the vanguard of protecting ordinary Nigerians from the disastrous effects of the global shocks due to the sharp drop in oil prices? We must note that the prevailing difficult economic condition is not limited to Nigeria. It is global and more entrenched among developing and emerging markets. Compared to its peers, the Nigerian economy has not performed poorly. Among commodities exporting economies for instance, inflation, GDP growth and employment are far worse in countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Argentina with inflation between 19-28 percent. As a matter of fact, Brazil and Russia are in recession while South Africa is struggling to record positive growth. These are all linked to the fall in the commodities prices in the international market. Emefiele and the CBN have so far managed to keep the inflation far below what is being witnessed in many comparator countries.”

Etuk stressed the fact that, “the policies of the Emefiele led CBN are indeed aimed at protecting ordinary Nigerians from the destructive capitalistic instincts of a few plutocrats and bourgeoisies. Emefiele’s policies have truncated the rent-seeking ability of many of these economic parasites and saboteurs. And we believe it is for this singular reason that both Emefiele and the CBN are being vilified in the most unfair and disgraceful manner by a sponsored group of anarchists.

“Nigerians have been taken for a ride for too long. Our collective patrimony has been cornered by few looters for too long. We can no longer stand idly by and watch these thieves, in collaboration with foreign neo-colonialists and imperialists, keep the masses of our people under perpetual bondage. This is the time to free Nigeria and its people from the dirty hands and greedy mouths of a few.”

Etuk disclosed that by the group’s reckoning, “Emefiele is in fact being persecuted for the his policies on: Bank Verification Number (BVN), which is an identity mechanism put in place by the CBN to ensure that everyone who operates in the Nigerian banking system is uniquely identifiable. It limits frauds and identity theft. It also ensures that those who have looted our commonwealth and concealed them under various account names are detected. Given their inability to hide their identities these thieves have avowed to hound Emefiele for daring to destroy their criminalities. May God never allow them to them succeed!”

•Photo shows CBN Gov. Emefiele.

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