Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi has insisted on remaining in office till June 2 when his tenure expires, following reports the president had asked him to resign.
Sanusi’s insistence on staying in office till June this year followed the storm provoked by President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly ordering him to resign as reported by a national newspaper yesterday over allegedly leaking a letter Sanusi wrote to him (President) claiming that $49.8bn oil revenue was missing.
Sanusi had said the president has no power to remove him, with the constitution saying only two-third majority of the Senate can make Sanusi leave office before the expiry of his tenure.
CBN sources confirmed to Vanguard that Sanusi has made up his mind to resist any attempt to force him out of office before June 2 when his tenure expires. He was said to have also made his reported conversation with the president on the matter known, as he knew what disobeying a direct order from the president may mean for him.
Sanusi’s position was further confirmed by the CBN’s spokesman, Mr. Ugo Okoroafor.
According to him, Mallam Sanusi told members of the management at a meeting on Wednesday that he would be in office till June and did not even indicate that he might proceed on any terminal leave before completing his tenure.
“He told us at the meeting we held, yesterday, that he will be leaving in June and did not give any indication that he would proceed on retirement leave before that time,” Okoroafor said.
Sanusi, who reports had earlier said was going on retirement leave in March, apparently irked by the president’s alleged order is now determined to see his tenure to the last day. He is backed by the CBN Act 2007 which defines the tenure, appointment and removal of the CBN governor.
Section 11(2f) of the CBN Act 2007, says: “The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the Bank if he: (a) becomes of unsound mind or, owing to ill health, is incapable of carrying out his duties; (b) is convicted of any criminal offence by a court of competent jurisdiction except for traffic offences or contempt proceedings arising in connection with the execution or intended execution of any power or duty conferred under this Act or the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act; (c) is guilty of a serious misconduct in relation to his duties under this Act; (d) is disqualified or suspended from practicing his profession in Nigeria by order of a competent authority made in respect of him personally; (e) becomes bankrupt; (f) is removed by the President: Provided that the removal of the Governor shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.
Despite the reactions and comments the matter has generated, the Presidency, however kept mum over reports that the president had asked the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to resign.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati later promised to react to the story before the end of the day.
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