Kinsmen of Mr Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the aegis of Agbor Stakeholders Forum (ASF) has urged the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, to desist forthwith from constantly attacking their son. The forum urged Akpabio to remember that “he lives in a big glass house.”
The call is coming on the heels of another public attack on Emefiele recently.
In a statement signed by Kanene Kachikwu, the group said: “At a reception for the Senate President in his hometown in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio had without any provocation attacked Emefiele, saying that President Bola Tinubu was clearing the former CBN governor’s mess as he “left a big hole in the national treasury. … I still stand by my position,” Akpabio asserted, referring to his previous attack on Emefiele that went viral.
The group further said: “Recall that last February, Akpabio at a function in Rivers State, also publicly and unwarrantedly disparaged Mr Emefiele, saying to his audience that Emefiele’s crimes were too many, the Federal Government didn’t know what to charge him with.
“In the light of what seems to have become Akpabio’s frivolous pastime, we, ASF, hereby warn the head of Nigeria’s Senate to remember that he lives in a big glasshouse and therefore, throwing stones could amount to be an act of self-annihilation.
Apart from the fact that Akpabio’s careless and baseless statements are debasing him and his exalted office more, we must awaken him to the fact that he must not take Emefiele’s professionalism and deep patriotism for granted.
“Akpabio must remember that just one word from Emefiele and he would cease to be Senate President immediately. Indeed, he will cease to be a senator or hold any public office in Nigeria ever again.
“How could Akpabio forget so fast how he entered the Senate after contesting for President? If Akpabio wasn’t so morally bankrupt, he should never show his face in public on account of the electoral shenanigans in the last general elections. By what miracle did Akpabio manage to contest in two primary elections (presidency and Senate) in one election cycle?”
According to the group, Akpabio’s administration in Akwa Ibom State was tainted, adding that he had to take refuge in APC as the EFCC closed in on him.
The added: “How could Akpabio, who as a federal minister, left the NDDC in the dust for four years, leaving no record of even one project, still speak in public?
There’s no gainsaying that our brother, Emefiele, is a saint compared to Akpabio. Need we reiterate that Emefiele rose to the heights of his banking career, helping to build one of the biggest and best banks in Africa. It was at the pinnacle of the hallowed financial institution that he was headhunted for the exalted job of governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“As CBN governor, discerning analysts will testify that Emefiele saved the Buhari administration. His sterling policies prevented Nigeria’s economy from plunging headlong into the abyss as we have seen in the last one year.
“Emefiele’s unique and customised development financing was the game-changer during the Buhari era. We state without fear of contradiction that while Emefiele has been turned inside out by numerous investigators for one year with no a concrete charge, Akpabio cannot stand one day of scrutiny.
“In fact, we wager that Akpabio will not escape the long arm of the law someday; no matter how long he filibusters justice by hiding under the dark covers of APC; no matter how long he scurries under the skirts of President Tinubu, he will surely have his day in court and justice shall be served him.
“Finally, we state once again as we have done from day one that our brother is an innocent victim of a vicious APC power play. Emefiele was caught in the crossfire of APC’s presidential tussle during the 2023 presidential election.
“The election has been won and lost. Fortunately, President Tinubu got his coveted prize. We urge him to show magnanimity and exhibit statesmanship. We urge him to grant Emefiele amnesty and let him go, especially on the first anniversary of his tenure.
“We dare to add that Emefiele still has so much to contribute, particularly in times of economic turbulence as we witness in Nigeria today. Meanwhile, we warn Akpabio to take heed. As our people say, it is the same teeth bingo plays with that he also bites with. When we haul back his stones at him, it shall be with a mortally damaging effect.”
