The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify him from the 2023 presidential primaries scheduled for the end of May 2022.
Recall that last Friday, some groups reportedly purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress ((APC) for the CBN governor.
This triggered outrage and criticisms as many called on Emefiele to step down from his current position.
According to document sighted through Emefiele’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, the apex bank boss argued that he is not a political appointee and by provision of the constitution, he is expected to resign a month before the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
“It is our respectful submission that the plaintiff is not a political appointee as envisaged by the Electoral Act and as he seeks to contest for the Office of the President in the new electoral calendar, he shall only be governed or guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (1999), as amended, which requires that he gives at least thirty (30) days’ notice of resignation, withdrawal or retirement from the office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before any elections,” the document read.
Joined in the suit are INEC and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Ahmed Mohammed fixed the suit for hearing at 12 noon on Monday, May 9.
Ruling, the Court declined the request of Emefiele to restrain INEC and the AGF from preventing him from pursuing his presidential ambition.
The Court, however, summoned INEC and AGF to appear before it on May 12 to show cause why the CBN governor’s request should not be granted,