29th May, 2023
By Michael Adesina
One of the moments that caught the eyes on Sunday night was the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Tinubu and CBN governor Godwin Emefiele.
They all met at the inauguration dinner to usher in the Bola Tinubu-led federal government.
During the brief meeting at the event, Tinubu was captured smiling at Buhari as the outgoing president pointed at the CBN governor.
“Take a look, look at President Buhari begging Asiwaju not to deal with Emefiele,” a chieftain of the APC who was at the inauguration dinner jokingly stated.
Another prominent member who interjected said: “Joke or no joke, Emefiele must be dealt with.”
Another member at the dinner said “Buhari telling Asiwaju “Abeg na me tell Emefiele to do cashless policy, forgive him.”
It became a topic during the dinner. The discussion spilled into the WhatsApp platform of Tinubu’s loyalists with many expressing divergent views.
However, a top aide in Tinubu’s camp who was questioned by PM News confirmed that the discussion between Buhari, Tinubu and Emefiele was a mere exchange of pleasantries.
The aide, who wanted anonymity to avoid delving into key issues, said his principal hold no grudges against anyone and will only make decisions necessary for the growth of Nigeria.
He said: “I have heard and read funny comments of people quoting President Muhammadu Buhari that he was begging Asiwaju at the dinner not to destroy Emefiele. That was funny but not true. It was just an exchange of pleasantries. Truthfully, the policies of Emefiele towards the election almost cost Asiwaju the election but Baba is not the type that holds grudges. I do not know what he will do, the decisions he will take but I know Asiwaju will not witch-hunt anyone or seek revenge. God has given him victory all that matter now is Nigeria. The past is already in the past.”
Emefiele had introduced policies which made life difficult for Nigerians especially during the electioneering period.
The policies made it difficult for cash to flow during election. Party agents could not be paid, Nigerians were frustrated and many vowed to vote out APC.
During the difficult times, Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Media and Publicity for the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council lambasted Emefiele.
He disclosed that the Governor of Central Bank CBN would be remembered for his role in inflicting hardship and pain on Nigerians especially as it is believed to be one of the plot to stop Tinubu from becoming president.
However, Asiwaju rose above the challenges and today, he takes the baton from President Muhammadu Buhari.
It is now left to be seen, the decisions the new President will take against the CBN governor.
APC bigwigs have predicted doomsday for Emefiele but all decisions and powers now lie on the tables of the Jagaban.