2023 Presidency: Emefiele Has Not Broken Any Law – Northern Group

A Coalition of North-Central Youths Vanguard for Emefiele says the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has not broken any law by obtaining the APC presidential form.

Naija News reports that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and other Nigerians have asked Godwin Emefiele to vacate his current position after some group and associates had purchased the N100 million APC presidential form for him.

In a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Ameenah Hayatudeen, the Coalition stated that the calls for the CBN boss to resign his appointment was unnecessary.

According to the group, it was aware of the provisions of Section 9 of the CBN Act, and Emefiele has not violated the law guiding the apex bank.

It noted that based on the provision of the act, the CBN Governor or Deputy Governor cannot be involved in any other employment or vocation while in office.

“Arising from this, therefore, how do we define employment or vocation? In the case of Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria vs Federal Board of Inland Revenue 1996 8 NWLR Part 466 256, the Supreme Court held that where the words of a statute are plain, precise and unambiguous, then it should be given the ordinary and natural meaning,” the group explained.

“We make bold to ask then from Emefiele’s traducers what then is the natural and ordinary meaning of the word ‘employment’? And what is the natural and ordinary meaning of the word ‘vocation’?” the group queried.

The group explained that employment means ‘the state of having paid work,’ while ‘vocation means a person’s employment or main occupation’.

It stated that contesting for the presidency is an exercise of constitutional rights and not an engagement in any employment or vocation.

It added: “Based on these definitions above, can it then be said that seeking election into the office of the president of Nigeria is an employment or vocation? The answer must surely be negative. Anything other than that will be the most artificial interpretation to suit a sinister purpose.”

Meanwhile, Emefiele has been confirmed to be a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The confirmation was made by the APC Chairman of Ward 6 in the Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nduka Erikpume.

He told The PUNCH on Sunday that the CBN governor had registered as an APC member since February 2021.

This is coming after reports emerged revealing that Emefiele has hired the services of renowned constitutional and human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) to seek the interpretation of the Federal High Court over his involvement in politics whilst still holding the position as CBN governor.