May 08, (THEWILL) – A group, the Coalition of North-Central Youths Vanguard for Emefiele, says the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has not violated any law because his supporters purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for him to contest the 2023 Presidential election.
Although, Emiefiele had earlier rejected the APC Presidential Form procured for him by the Rice farmers, THEWILL reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, among others, have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack him as head of the apex bank.
Emefiele, had in a series of tweets on Saturday, in his verified twiiter handle, thanked those who bought the forms for him, saying if he decides to contest, he would use his personal resources to procure the forms.
“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision. I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms: I thank them most profusely”, his tweets partly read.
However, reacting to calls for his sack, the coalition in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Ameenah Hayatudeen, in a statement, noted that the constitution was clear on rights of association and rights to seek elective positions.
The Coalition argued that contesting for the position of the president is an exercise of constitutional rights and not an engagement in any employment or vocation.
Hayatudeen said there was no impediment whatsoever on the exercise of such rights except such impediments are contained in the constitution.
She said the Coalition was aware of the provisions of Section 9 of the CBN Act, which states that: “the Governor and the Deputy Governor shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the Bank and while holding office shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation, whether remunerated or not except such personal and charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and which do not conflict with or detract from their full-time duties.”
Hayatudeen said clearly from the provision of the extant law, the CBN governor or deputy governor cannot be involved in any other employment or vocation while in office.
“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.
“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?
“Employment means ‘the state of having paid work’, While vocation means ‘a person’s employment or main occupation”, she added.
Based on these definitions, Hayatudeen said, “seeking election into the office of the president of Nigeria is an employment or vocation?” she added that anything other than that will be the most artificial interpretation to suit a sinister purpose.
“We wish to state unequivocally that Godwin Emefiele is the right man to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he will enjoy the total support of North Central Youths”, Hayatudeen added.
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