A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the plea of Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seeking to remain in office while he contests for the office of president in 2023.
The court refused Emefiele’s request to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami preventing him from his presidential ambition.
Emefiele’s lawyers Monday told the court in Abuja that he can run for the post of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without vacating his position as the CBN Governor.
The CBN Governor through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, told the court that Section 84 ((12) of the Electoral Act as amended, 2022 does not affect him, being a public servant and not a political appointee.
The court in its ruling, however, summonsed INEC, and AGF to appear before it on May 12, to show cause on why status quo antebellum, should not be granted to the CBN Governor.
It had been reported that the CBN governor has repeatedly distanced himself from contesting the 2023 presidential election even after pictures and videos of his campaign vehicles was awash social media.
Last week, three interest groups – the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Friends of Emefiele and Emefiele Support Group – last week paid N100m for the APC presidential expression of interest and nominations forms for him.
Reacting to the purchase of the presidential form, the CBN governor in a series of tweets on Saturday, said he would purchase the N100m Expression of Interest and Nomination forms himself if he decides to join the 2023 presidential race.
