Ex-president Muhammadu Buhari revealed the reasoning behind his decision not to remove the then-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, despite rumors of a potential 2023 presidential ambition. The memoir, titled ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),’ was authored by Buhari’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
Buhari explained that he refrained from dismissing Emefiele due to the lack of concrete evidence supporting the claims of his presidential ambitions. He emphasized the importance of fairness and justice, stating, “If you punish a man unjustly, it could dog his footsteps throughout life, so if you would punish, you must have evidence.”
The former president expressed his consciousness about the morale of those who served with him, highlighting the expectation of fairness from whoever would succeed him. Buhari emphasized the need for evidence before taking such significant actions and the potential long-term consequences of unjust actions.
During the book unveiling, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged Buhari’s hands-off approach since leaving office in 2023. Tinubu recounted Buhari’s commitment to not interfering with his administration and expressed appreciation for the ex-president’s respect for the autonomy of his successor.
Meanwhile, Godwin Emefiele, in response to speculations and a group urging him to run for president, shared that he was seeking divine direction on whether to contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket. He acknowledged the potential impact on his decades-long service savings if he decides to enter the political contest.
Emefiele’s contemplation comes amid the evolving political landscape as the 2023 elections draw closer, and the APC nomination process intensifies.
