General
2023: CNPP, CSOs Give Emefiele April 21 Deadline to Resign or….
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some political parties in the country and civil society organisations are threatening a showdown with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged intention to contest for the post of president of the country in 2023.
There have been rumours that the CBN chief is planning to rule the country next year under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the national convention of the party last month, his campaign posters adorned the venue of the exercise in Abuja, causing many to raise an eyebrow because he should be non-partisan, increasing calls for his resignation.
Worried by the precedence his action may create, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and others have concluded plans to occupy the CBN headquarters in Abuja until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces his purported presidential ambition and halts the activities of his support groups who they claimed are sources of distraction to his duties.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja by the Secretary-General of CNPP, Mr Willy Ezugwu and the National Secretary of the Coalition Of National Civil Society Organisations, Mr Ali Abacha, the groups noted that their “action has become necessary to save the Nigerian economy from total collapse.”
Giving reasons for the move, they said “it has become imperative to minimize the stress on the economy and to ensure that the relevant laws in the country are respected to the letter.”
According to them, “Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007, clearly stated that The Governor and the Deputy Governors 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 or charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and Which Do Not Conflict With Or Detract From Their Full-Time Duties…”
“Evidently, the law that established the CBN had foreseen that any iota of distraction or divided attention, however minimal, can spell doom for Nigeria’s economy, particularly with the deafening level of obviously sponsored clamour by different groups urging the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to join the presidential race. It is clear that this is a source of distraction for the Governor of CBN at this time.
“Secondly, an important institution like the CBN should NEVER be headed by politically ambitious persons and it was for this reason that the CBN Act stipulated that The Governor and Deputy-Governors shall be persons of recognized financial experience… and not politicians of recognized political experience.
“Finally, if Mr Godwin Emefiele, who is eminently qualified to run for president, wishes to pursue a political career, Section 11(3) of the Act prescribed that The Governor or any Deputy Governor may resign his office by giving at least three months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so…
“The question is, has the CBN governor transmitted a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari notifying him of his intention to leave office in three months from the date of the notice?
“We, therefore, call on the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele to immediately resign or publicly denounce his purported presidential ambition and order groups causing a distraction to the performance of his full-time duties to stop forthwith.
“He should immediately authorize relevant government agencies to clean up his posters which are conspicuously displayed around the CBN headquarters, in other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and in most cities across the country.
“If these are not, by Thursday, April 21, the CNPP in conjunction with the civil society coalition will be occupying the CBN headquarters until Mr Emefiele resigns or denounces the purported distracting ongoing 2023 presidential campaign on his behalf by groups.
“It is noteworthy to state that the Nigerian economy has suffered enough stress, while the cost of living is becoming much more unbearable for the masses, and further distraction of the CBN governor’s full-time duties as stipulated by law will be strongly challenged on all fronts from April 21, 2022, since section 9 of the CBN Act 2007 (as amended) is unambiguous.
“We wish to reiterate that Mr Godwin Emefiele is eminently qualified to run for president of Nigeria but it has to be in absolute compliance with the laws of the land, especially the sections 8, 9 and 11 of the CBN Act 2007 (As amended)”, the CNPP and the CNCSOs stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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