12th February, 2022
The Green Alliance (TGA), a coalition of civil and pressure groups has called on the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Godwin Emefiele to immediately declare his interest to vie for the 2023 presidency.
The TGA is made up of over 30 civil rights and pressure groups from across the nation, whose representatives attended the meeting.
Convener of TGA, Wale Fapohunda, at their inaugural meeting in Surulere area of Lagos on Saturday, said there was need for Nigeria to change the norm from core politicians to technocrats.
Fapohunda said the coalition was formed as a movement to coerce the CBN governor to run for president in 2023, saying that Emefiele had come up with new strategies to navigate the Nigerian economy through hurdles such as, challenge of foreign exchange inflow, the exchange rate, recession, stagflation bans and financial inclusion among others.
He added that the CBN governor had been at the fore of pushing for a diversification of Nigeria’s revenue base with emphasis on agriculture and growth of small businesses.
Fapohunda said that aside engineering bank policies and programmes that had supported job creation and fostered inclusive growth in Nigeria, Emefiele had also ensured stability of macro economic concerns like inflation and exchange rate.
“We have done a little research about him which is why we feel he is the best man for the job. Emefiele was appointed by the PDP government but the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in its wisdom, retained him after his tenure, and that tells a lot about his capacity and managerial acumen.
“We want to move away from the norm of career politicians to a technocrat that has built a resilient financial system for Nigeria. We want Emefiele as president because he will be a bridge builder,” he stated.
According to Fapohunda, Emefiele inspired the rice revolution that had led to a near zero importation of rice in Nigeria, saying that he pushed through measures that had halted importations and moved the nation’s agricultural sector to a greater height.
The TGA convener also appealed to Nigerians to ensure they obtain their PVCs to enable them participate actively in the 2023 general elections through their votes.
Co-Convener, TGA, Valentine Gabriel, said the Lagos outing, which was the first for the group, would be taken round the nation.
“We intend to hold seminars, workshops across the nation yo enlighten Nigerians on the need to support the CBN governor,” he said.
Angela Ajufo, Representative of Asaba (Delta) Women Association of Nigeria and women in politics, said the women were desperately in need of change and looking for progress and peace.
She said the women were at the event to give their entire support to Emefiele to run.
Akin Osomo, representative of the Youth Alliance for Good Governance said: “We believe there is need to divert from the norm of a politician to a technocrat to handle the affairs of the nation.
“We believe Emefiele will handle the nation’s economy as well as he handled the CBN activities. He has an in depth knowledge of the economy and global economic growth and he is a detribalised Nigerian.”