By Bukola Olasanmi
Nigerians have expressed divergent views over the aborted arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Twitter with many accusing the “cabal” in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of being behind Emefiele’s ordeals.
Views of Nigerians monitored on Twitter reveal the embattled Governor was penciled down for arrest by Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) who accused the CBN governor of financing terrorism and economic sabotage in the country.
His arrest was stopped by an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja on 9 December 2022.
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Another controversy trailed the CBN chief as the House of Representatives insisted that he must appear before it within 48 hours over the controversial cash withdrawal limit.
Reacting to Emefiele’s travails, a cross-section of Nigerians said he was being hunted by politicians who view the cash withdrawal limit as possible obstacle to vote buying in 2023 elections.
@realFFK: “This is my PERSONAL opinion. Is Godwin Emefiele, Gov. of Central Bank, above-mentioned the law? Who does he think he is? Can he fight the system? Can he disgrace the service? He was asked to report to the DSS to answer questions on terrorism & he refused to do so. What has he got to hide?”
@aai_austin: “So Emefiele will go to work today knowing he escaped arrest yesterday? Question is who is behind his attempted arrest? Buhari or cabals? It’s not making sense if it’s Buhari and also not making sense if cabals can undermine the president to make such arrest. Nigerians be ready.”
@XerxesEmperor: “The idea that an overnight policy by Emefiele can stop politicians from accessing illegal money is flawed. How are they getting the tens of millions they spend on campaigns on weekly basis? These guys have their ways. It’s like expecting monetary policy to stop drug cartels.”
@AItalkspace: “Over the last seven years, Nigerian politicians unlooked as Emefiele (alongside Buhari & his Ministers) ruined the domestic economy. But after one of Emefiele’s poorly developed policies posed a threat to politicians’ electoral corruption plans, they’re now calling for his head.”
@Abdull_saddiq: “I’d like to applaud Godwill Emefiele for not being there Again. The senates was obsessed. I loathe people who are obsessed in this matter.”
ALSO READ: DSS Indictment: Groups call for Emefiele’s resignation within 24hrs
@IykeTweets_: “This Godwin Emefiele and terrorism charges is so so surprising. This says alot about our political elites and the insecurity goings-on in Nigeria.”
@HRHPrinceFarouk: “I don’t understand the Emefiele vs DSS story.”
@DOFFISHAL: “Emefiele called #ENDSARS protesters ‘terrorists’, used taxpayers money to buy 100 million apc form, destroyed our financial sector wiithout the politicians batting an eyelid…but the moment he went after their vote-buying system, they start getting erections.”
@obiechina_chuks: “Vote buyers weeping. Go and show yourself to voters, convince them you can do it. If they love you they will vote for you. Don’t hope on vote buying and leave Emefiele alone.”
@CalmSmarto: “Any attempt to arrest emefiele because of his cashless policy which aims at stopping vote buying in the coming election, must be vehemently rejected by Nigerians of all good wills.”
@ozor_cc: “DSS and Nigerian Politicians: We will deal with you, Emefiele.”
@Bigsis0001: “Emefiele is a thief but they are fighting him now because he is fighting the APC agenda and making funds inaccessible for them Make una continue.”
@oddy4real: “Is a particular Presidential candidate who game plan is buying of voters behind Emefiele’s travails?”
@jagabanolu: “Una dey commend court wey dem say stop DSS arresting Emefiele… on the other hand una dey say Doyin Okupe is not a criminal even though the same court convicted him… una never ready.”
@pdauda: “Lawmakers watched Emefiele ruin the economy with his harebrained policies and unnecessary interventions for the last 7 years, and kept mute. Ironically he has now played his last card to strangle money politics(brilliant or devious only time will tell) and they’re suddenly alive.”
@UARian: “If it’s true that Emefiele shun Rep’s summon over cash withdrawal policy, his case may be likened to who rubs oil on his body when he is about to be smoked. It’s within d Rep’s right 2 summon him. You had issues with DSS yesterday you’re about 2 get into another with politicians.”
@KolawoleFalodun: “Talks about the ‘powers that be’ spitefully witch hunting Emefiele because of the enforcement of his cashless policy and how it could potentially spoil the party for vote buying politicians. Why are they fighting the cash withdrawal limit et al policies harder than the masses?”
@josepheke16: “The DSS wants to arrest Emefiele. might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote buying in the 2023 elections. I taught the DSS should be happy with this development. Is the DSS trying to say they support vote buying.”