Piqued by the wide speculation about the telephone conversation between the President and CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido, urging the latter to resign before his retirement in June, the House of Representatives Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila said President Jonathan has no powers to enforce the resignation.
He noted that while the President has the right to demand for Sanusi’s resignation, the powers to actualise it reside with the Senate.
The CBN governor was recently reported to have told his staff that he would not quit until June when his tenure expires.
Gbajabiamila in a statement on Sunday said, “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 further admitted that the Central Bank of Nigeria deserves autonomy.
He stated, “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 House Minority Leader decried the President’s derogatory treatment of earlier request of 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 SEC director general from her post for reason of non qualification, 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.
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 poopoed and disregarded to effect Sanusi’s dismissal. We all know that will be tall order”.
