Court Declines Emefiele’s Request to Join Presidential Race as CBN Governor

The Abuja Division of Federal High Court on Monday rejected a request seeking an expedited decision on whether or not Godwin Emefiele can run for president without resigning his current position as the governor of Nigeria’s central bank.

Mr Emefiele approached the court on Monday through his counsel Mike Ozekhome, arguing that he will suffer “irreparable damage” unless immediately granted a leave to engage in partisan politics while in office as the head of the country’s financial sector regulator.

The matter was adjourned till May 12 for the electoral office INEC and Attorney-General Abubakar Malami to file their respective responses to Mr Emefiele.

Mr Emefiele said a section of the CBN that prohibits external activities for its governor does not apply to him as a public servant, asking the court to immediately issue a ruling affirming his position in order to allow him run for office.

No incumbent governor of CBN has ever run for office, and the unprecedented nature of Mr Emefiele’s efforts has prompted nationwide uproar.

Source: People’s Gazette