CBN: Lobby for Sanusi’s job begins

by Taiwo Adisa

HEAVYWEIGHTS on the political and economic fronts have kick-started strong lobbying in a bid to take over the job of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, which will be up in June 2014.
Sanusi was appointed CBN governor in June 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua following the exit of his predecessor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune indicated that the presidency has been playing host to a number of lobby teams representing different interested parties.
Sources told Nigerian Tribune that the long list of lobbyists includes a serving governor, who is a banker, some economists, including a former occupant of the office and other politicians.
Sources confirmed that the quest to replace Sanusi became pronounced following indications that the incumbent CBN governor was making his way into the murky waters of politics.
Though Sanusi had denied reports linking him with the 2015 presidential race, it was confirmed that interests have started growing in the bid to replace Sanusi.
Besides those who are said to be convinced that they can do a better job than the incumbent, there are others whose interests are being canvassed by some political heavyweights, who are angered by Sanusi’s actions so far.
A source said that the serving governor from the North had made his intention known to the presidency, adding that the man is doing everything possible to get the job.
It was, however, gathered that the calculation of the serving governor is that Sanusi’s job would be up in 2014 and that he would not be losing too much if he leaves the governorship seat just a year to the end of his tenure in 2015.
Sources said that while the presidency has not made up its mind on whether or not to re-appoint Sanusi, a variety of lobbyists are pushing hard that he should not return.
Aside the serving governor, another member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is also said to be eyeing the governorship of the apex bank. It was gathered that lobbying is being intensified at various layers.
“One of the arguments out there is that Sanusi has refused to defend the naira since he assumed office. When he took over, the naira was around N119 to the dollar, now it hovers around N158 and N160 to the dollar. That cannot be said to be a good legacy,” one of the sources promoting a candidate said on Wednesday.
It was also gathered that a number of politicians have sent words to President Jonathan to do away with Sanusi because of the alleged presidential ambition in 2015.
A source said in a normal clime, the alleged presidential ambition was enough to sack Sanusi, as, according to him, “mixing politics with the management of the economy is a dangerous trend.”
It was also gathered that the battle for Sanusi’s job was not only restricted to the North, as some economists from the South-West, as well as South-East, were said to be well positioned.
“No fewer than 12 persons have, so far, been linked with the job. A number of them have made contacts with the presidency through some aides and other influential figures.
“One of those persons is trying to make a return to the apex bank, but it is the duty of the president to separate the men from the boys,” a source stated.
Nigerian Tribune