Nigerian protests as they order president Buhari to sack CBN Governor Emefiele

Young people from Nigeria protested outside the Central Business District location of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and demanded the resignation of Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor.

The teenagers who surrounded the premises of the apex bank on January 11, 2023 demanded Emefiele’s resignation for what they claimed was his refusal to answer questions from security personnel.

The demonstrators demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari remove the CBN Governor from office after alleging that he poses a threat to the country’s security.

The marchers, who were organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and other civil society organizations, also argued that Emefiele ought to accept the Department of State Service’s invitation (DSS).

Remember that the DSS recently applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for a warrant to arrest and imprison Emefiele on terrorism-related grounds, but the court denied their request.

The application’s accusation was not supported by any solid proof, according to the court.

Unhappy with the ruling, NYCN President Comrade Solomon Adodo, who had been leading the demonstrators outside the CBN, promised on Wednesday that the group would continue its protests in Abuja and other parts of the nation until Emefiele resigned.

Emefiele cannot continue to lead a significant organization like the CBN from abroad, insisted Adodo.

The only other factor that might have kept him abroad or away from the office for so long must have been illness, unless he wants to admit that he is fleeing justice, Adodo said, and because he hasn’t officially requested asylum—which the NYCN will gladly support him on if it has substance.

Adodo pointed out that the CBN governor should vacate his position since he is in violation of Section 11 (2) (a & c) of the CBN Act.

“The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the bank if he: (a)becomes of unsound mind or, due to illness, is incapable of performing his duties; (c)is guilty of a significant wrongdoing in regard to his obligations under this Act,” he asserts.

“In any event, both circumstances are true in this particular instance, and you ought to act honorably, even if only once.

The young people subsequently demanded that Emefiele “begin the process of his resignation as specified by the CBN Act 2007 or face a nationwide youth mass action,” adding that “for someone who has aspired to the office of President of Nigeria, you should cease to continue to bring shame to yourself and the exalted office of CBN Governor.”

Over the activity, there was strict security in and around the CBN offices.