Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have shown their opposition to reports claiming that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, will proceed on a 10-month study leave. In response, the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, pleaded with President Buhari to prevent any critical officer from taking study leave as it may negatively impact the transition to the new administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Matawalle, in a statement, requested that President Buhari should cancel any such requests, especially that of the CBN Governor. The Governor then stated that Nigeria deserves accountability and good governance, and as such, Emefiele should stay at his job to provide full accounts of his tenure to the incoming administration.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) and the Country Director of Transparency International Nigeria, voiced his opposition to Emefiele’s request for study leave, stating that such requests are only requests to escape accountability under the guise of education. Mr Rafsanjani reiterated the need for government officials who served under the current administration to declare all their assets under the Code of Conduct Act, whether or not President Buhari grants them the opportunity to leave the country.
Similarly, Mr Debo Adeniran, the Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), stated that before Emefiele or any other government official is granted leave of any kind, they must first render their accounts to the best of their ability.
Efforts to reach Dr Abdulmumin Isa, the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communication, were unsuccessful, as he neither responded to calls nor messages.
The rejection of Emefiele’s study leave request may further increase tensions within the CBN and the incoming administration. Nonetheless, Nigerians are hopeful that the President will make decisions that encourage good governance, fairness and accountability, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be for some officials.
