Fakoyejo OlalekanThe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will no longer store sensitive electoral materials, due to the apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, unconventional political ambition for the 2023 Presidential election.
His presidential aspiration has now forced Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seek an alternative storage house, as Emefiele became partisan, seeking political office under the All Progressive Congress (APC).
He became the first CBN governor to vie for a political office, an action that resulted to criticism from Nigerians and political parties in Nigeria, due to Emefiele’s access to the materials as CBN governor.
Emefiele had taken INEC to court to contest the restriction that prevents him from partaking in the 2023 election, but later withdrew the lawsuit, and abandoned his ambition.
However, despite withdrawing from the race, Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, said the electoral body will suspend routing sensitive materials to CBN, starting with the Ekiti State Governorship election.
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Yakubu disclosed this at an election dialogue, ‘The Electorate’, held at Abuja, and organised by political advocate group, Enough Is Enough (EiE), on Saturday. He had previously hinted of the decision to move the materials in May, during a media briefing.
This is to ensure the sensitive electoral materials are not compromised ahead of the general elections next year, which will see Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, amongst others, contesting for the Presidential seat.
“But we are already started talking about what alternatives are available to us in case we need to change the arrangement for the handling of sensitive materials. We have started thinking about it. We are aware of the situation. We will watch the situation. We still have 9 months before the next general elections.
“Things may be addressed before then. I want to assure you that we will not jeopardize the conduct of the election by creating a misconception around the situation in the process.” Yakubu had stated at the media consultation.
I welcome this move with joy. I like the fact that inec is taking necessary steps to avoid people questioning it activities. If they’re not using the Central Bank as a storage centre, then who is capable enough to keep such sensitive material. Is the Independent national electoral commission going to contract private bodies to do this job.