••• RICE FARMERS FORFEIT N100M TO APC AS CBN GOV REJECTS DONATED NOMINATION FORM
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has broken long months of silence about his Presidential ambition, saying he has not taken a decision to run.
As a result, the CBN Governor in his official Twitter handle rejected the N100 million Naira Expression of Interest and Nomination form for Presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress procured form him by rice farmers under a coalition of Commodity Associations in Nigeria on Friday.
Emefiele said that when he makes the decision to run for the Presidency, he would rather use his hard earned money from 35 years of banking to procure the form.
He commended the Rice farmers for the sacrifice and patriotism to raise the huge amount of money for the expression of interest and nomination form.
He said that the critical decision which according to him requires God’s guidance would be made in a few days.
Emefiele stated further that if he chooses not to run, he would continue to serve the nation under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision.
“I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms: I thank them most profusely.
“However, should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own Nomination Forms, without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“And should I not run for elected office, I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This is a serious decision that requires God’s Divine intervention: in the next few days The Almighty will so direct.”
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the N100 million used by the Rice farmers to purchase the form is lost to the APC. with Emefiele’s declaration.
A source who confided in our correspondent said that the money is non-refundable and has gone into the party’s coffers.
“It is a non refundable deposit. You get a bank draft to procure the form. The money goes directly into the party’s account. So how can you refund it. It is stated clearly.” The source said
