CLAIM: “Buhari Sacked CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, asked to leave office immediately” – Online Newspapers
EVIDENCE: The Spokesman of Central Bank of Nigeria has confirmed that the reports are not true
CONCLUSION: FALSE
FULL TEXT:
Yesterday, March 4, 2019, news broke across various online mediums that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari had sacked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The reports quoted a letter purportedly received by Mr Emefiele.
VERIFICATION:
Dubawa contacted the spokesperson of CBN, Isaac Okorafor who confirmed to our correspondent that the reports were fabricated.
When contacted today on telephone, Mr Okorafor instructed our correspondent to send a text message.
Responding to Dubawa’s text message clarification: “It’s not true. It’s the handiwork of mischief makers“, his response simply read.
Mr Emefiele was appointed as CBN Governor on June 3, 2014, and his five-year tenure expires in some months – June 2019; except he is reappointed by the President for another tenure in office subject to ratification by the National Assembly as provided by law.
Section 10 of the CBN Act of 2007 says “the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for re-appointment for another term not exceeding five years”.
On the removal of the governor, section 8 the CBN Act of 2007 provides that: “the removal of the governor shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.”
Meanwhile, the Senate is presently on recess and it will be an aberration for the President to do so without approval of the Senate!
CONCLUSION: Considering the response from the CBN spokesman and the provision of the law, it is FALSE that President Buhari sacked the CBN governor.
