The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele is being encouraged by some topshots in the political, financial and media spheres to run for the presidency in 2023.
Recall that this newspaper reported that a coalition of civil and pressure groups, the Green Alliance (TGA), on Saturday in Lagos urged Emefiele to declare for the nation’s top office.
Mr Wale Fapohunda, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said there was need for Nigeria to change the norm from core politicians to technocrats, hence the call for the CBN governor to join the presidential race.
“Emefiele has been at the fore of pushing for a diversification of Nigeria’s revenue base with emphasis on agriculture and growth of small businesses,” he said.
However, a report by Sahara Reporters indicated that a cabal led by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami is strongly behind the push for Emefiele to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of other strong contenders in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Publisher of THISDAY newspaper and Arise News channel, Nduka Obaigbena is also said to be a part of the cabal.
An informed source in the party stated that members were presently torn between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has publicly announced his presidential bid, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Godwin Emefiele’s supporters.
Emefiele was said to have laid the groundwork for his presidential ambition with the FCT mega rice pyramid, an initiative under the RIFAN/CBN anchor borrowers’ programme, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 18.
“The rice pyramid was conspicuously the first open declaration.
“The cabal led by AGF, Malami told Buhari they’ve settled for a Technocrat. This came after rejecting the President of African Development Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina, and Obaigbena is spearheading this,” the report quoted an unnamed presidential source as saying.
Obaigbena is said to be supporting Emefiele’s presidential ambition as a result of the financial support Arise News has allegedly being getting from the CBN.