The leadership of the Labour Party has faulted the
suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emeifele, by President Bola
Tinubu.

The opposition party described the President’s action as
vindictive and unconstitutional.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora
Ifoh, said this in Abuja, on Saturday.

He said the Labour Party “Is disturbed by the decision of
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend/sack the Governor of the Central Bank,
Godwin Emefiele, albeit unconstitutionally without seeking the permission of
the national assembly and we insist that the action was not in good taste and
sounds punitive.

“The opposition leader made it clear that the President
lacks powers under the laws of the land to sack the CBN boss. One wonders what
has changed between that time and now.

“Femi Gbajabiamila is the current Speaker of the House of
Representatives and also holds the enviable portfolio as the Chief of Staff to
President Tinubu.

“He had then argued that the law requires the President to
seek the approval of two third of the Senate to be able to sack the CBN
Governor.

“Reasons being essentially to enforce the doctrine of Checks
and Balances and to avoid the abuse of powers of a capricious and arbitrary
President, while at the same time guaranteeing the autonomy of the CBN.

“ But under Gbajabiamila’s watch, Emefiele was fired in a
most unconstitutional and vindictive manner.

“It is only in Nigeria that we find people that approbate
and reprobate at the same time. People say one thing from one side of their
mouth and another from the other side, especially when it favours them
politically and otherwise.

“That explains why the country is in shamble: no rule of
law, no equity, no justice, and no fair play. People don’t follow standard
rules and procedures.

“That is why every aspect of our lives, be it our economic,
political and social lives, is challenged.

Because he was in the opposition at that time, Gbajabiamila
saw everything wrong with President Jonathan sacking Sanusi, today, he is on
the other side of the divide, and he doesn’t see anything wrong with it.

“This is what Nigerians will face in the APC government,
where perceived enemies are dealt with, perceive opposition parties and their
members are dealt with, even when they are protected by the law.”

The LP Spokesman further said, “Most Nigerians will not
forget in a hurry the famous Naira redesign policy initiated by Emefiele
primarily to check vote buying in the last general election.

“A noble policy which a particular candidate then,
unfortunately, believed was targeted at him. To him, it was a mortal sin which
cannot be forgiven and must be punished. Labour Party believes that Emefiele, a
fall guy, is paying for his “sin”.

“The government said the suspension of Emefiele is “sequel
to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the
financial sector of the economy.”

Ifoh equally said, “It is laughable to read that statement
as most Nigerians are already aware of the intention of the government.

“If indeed, there is any government agency that should be
investigated with this utmost urgency, should it not be the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC and its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu?

“This is the institution that is responsible for the mockery
of our democracy. This is an institution which asked and received N355 billion
in tax payers money to conduct, the worst-ever election in the history of
Nigeria and in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“This is an election umpire that has shamelessly chosen to
be partisan during and after the election, even at the tribunal.

“We urge the APC-led government to carry out a thorough investigation
of the CBN and particularly, the last APC government’s interference in the
operation of the apex bank.

“Nigerians will not tolerate political and peripheral
investigation. We suggest a forensic auditing by an independent firm and by so
doing, maybe the real culprits, not just Emefiele will be unearthed.”