CSOs: Emefiele’s life under threat… some politicians uncomfortable with new CBN policy

Mass Interest Project, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), says the life of Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is under threat.

Following the announcement of the new cash withdrawal policy, there have been speculations over a plot to frame the CBN governor.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had recently filed an application before the federal high court sitting in Abuja, seeking to arrest and detain Emefiele over terrorism charges.

But the court had declined the application, saying the DSS did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

The court reportedly told the DSS that such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is detained.

There are suggestions that the move to arrest Emefiele might be linked to politics and vote buying in the 2023 polls, considering speculations surrounding the impact of the naira redesign and cash withdrawal limit.

In a video aired on Channels Television, the Mass Interest Project said the threat to the life of the CBN governor is linked to politicians who are against the new CBN cash policy.

The CSOs also alleged that there are plans to hijack the 2023 general election.

“As Nigeria prepares for elections in 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria, through the naira redesign and the new naira policies, is committed to making the elections free and fair,” the CSOs said.

“However, some politicians who are desperate to compromise the integrity of the 2023 elections have become uncomfortable with the new naira policies of the CBN.

“The central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, is calling the attention of the general public to a threat on his life and the hijack of the 2023 general election.

“Mass Interest Project, a coalition of civil society organisations, is calling on well-meaning Nigerians and the international community, to condemn and rise up against the persons plotting this gross illegality and crime.

“We must collectively reject the antics of desperate politicians to manipulate the new monetary policies of the CBN which assures the credible 2023 general elections.”