Memoir: Former President Buhari Reveals Why Emefiele Wasn’t Sacked Amidst 2023 Presidential Speculations

In the recently unveiled memoir titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),” Femi Adesina, the former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, discloses intriguing details about Buhari’s decision-making process, shedding light on why Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was not removed from his position despite rumors of a 2023 presidential bid.

The memoir, presented in Abuja on Tuesday, captures President Buhari’s perspective on the matter, emphasizing his commitment to fairness and justice. Buhari stated, “I met Emefiele in office when I came, and unless there was firm evidence against him, it would be unfair and an act of injustice to remove him, acting on hearsay.”

Buhari, known for his principled approach to governance, emphasized the importance of evidence before taking any punitive actions. “If you punish a man unjustly, it could dog his footsteps throughout life, so if you would punish, you must have evidence, and you should know that yourself wouldn’t be there forever. You would leave one day,” he explained.

The former president expressed his awareness of the impact such decisions could have on the morale of those serving with him. “I’m very conscious about the morale of people who serve with me. I also expect whoever succeeds me to be fair to me. I have family, friends, who will feel it. I’m very conscious of fairness.”

Notably, Buhari addressed the rumors linking Emefiele to a potential 2023 presidential campaign. He revealed that Emefiele never discussed this with him, stating, “When he was linked with the campaign for the 2023 presidency, I did not ask him, because he told nobody he was getting involved. Otherwise, I would have removed him and told the nation why.”

This revelation provides insights into Buhari’s leadership style, characterized by a commitment to evidence-based decision-making and a keen sense of fairness in personnel management. The memoir offers a glimpse into the intricacies of the political landscape during Buhari’s tenure and the considerations that shaped key decisions.

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