Jonathan Lacks Power To Sack CBN Governor - Gbajabiamila

SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, 2014, (THEWILL) -  The Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon.

Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,  to resign before the end of his tenure in June but do not possess the power to sack him.

'Mr.
President has the right to ask the CBN Governor to resign, same way Nigerians have the right to ask him or anyone to resign.

However and unfortunately he does not have the powers.

Having a right is one thing, having the power is another.

Many have asked Mr.
President to resign but lack the powers to compel him.

'If those advising the President cannot think, at least they can read.

The laws of the land are written in English and in black and white.

By asking that the President seek approval of two third of the Senate, the law essentially seeks to enforce the doctrine of checks and balances and to avoid the abuse of powers of a capricious and arbitrary President whilst at the same time guarantee the autonomy of the CBN,' Gbajabiamila stated.

He further admitted that the Central Bank of Nigeria deserves autonomy.

  'It's funny that Nigerians rose stoutly to the defence of the CBN governor when the legislature attempted to amend the CBN Act to make the institution more accountable to the National Assembly.

Now I see the wisdom in the position taken by most Nigerians.

The CBN must be protected from an overbearing executive or any other arm of government,' the lawmaker said.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the President's derogatory treatment of an earlier request made by Nigerians and National Assembly urging him to purge his cabinet of corrupt officials.

'Funny enough, I remember the National Assembly had asked Mr.

President to relieve the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) director general from her post for reason of non-qualification but he refused.

The House and the majority of Nigerians had asked same as regards the aviation minister for reason of fraud and non-compliance with the Public Procurement Act, he refused and now he wants to relieve the CBN governor of his position because of speculations that he released a letter to the public, ' Gbajabiamila said.

He further carpeted the alleged request by the President and expressed uncertainty in the willingness of the legislature to accede to the request if brought before it.

'Ironically the President now needs an arm of the legislature that he has consistently disregarded to effect Sanusi's dismissal.

We all know that will be a tall order,' he said.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja