Imoukhuede may succeed Sanusi as next CBN governor

AS the race on who succeeds the incumbent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi in June next year gets tougher, there are strong indications that the Presidency and key cabinet members of the administration mayhave settled for the Group ManagingDirector of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Since Sanusi confirmed in March this year that he will not seek second term, various individuals have been jostling for the plum job. Apart from Imoukhuede, Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda; Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside and a renowned economist and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane, among others, were speculated as frontline contestants. Nigerian Tribune gathered that apart from the Coordinating Ministerof the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala and Sanusi, President Goodluck Jonathan has given his fullsupport to the Access Bank boss to clinch the job. A source close to Imoukhuede confirmed to Nigerian Tribune that the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Mallam Sanusi actuallysold the candidature of the Access Bank boss to President Jonathan. With this development, President Jonathan may have dumped his kinsman, Peterside. The Stanbic IBTCChairman was also said to rely heavily on Sanusi, a fellow Kings College old boy. Industry watchers are not surprised at the present scenario as Imoukhuede has been the unofficial personal assistant to the incumbent CBN Governor. Apart from defendingSanusi’s policy at any given forum, he is said to have been understudying him in the last two years. Imoukhuede who is a member of the Nigeria Economic Management Team (NEMT) is also believed to be amember of the ‘kitchen cabinet’ of President Jonathan which has seen him handling many committees including that of the fuel subsidy. A financial analyst who pleaded anonymity told Nigerian Tribune that the industry is already expecting Imoukhuede to succeed Sanusi as the next CBN Governor. According to him, over time, Sanusi has seen Imoukhuede as somebody he can trust and rely on, stressing that the duo are always together at every event. “We will not be surprised. Imoukhuede is a brilliant young man. He knows what he wants and will always go for it. Apart from Sanusi, he is close to his colleagues and even the Presidency. I wish him good luck,” he said

Former Abia state governor Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu who clocked 53 Sunday ,turned spiritual preaching peace,love and reconciliation among politicians and looking forward to the day President Goodluck Jonathan andopposition leaders would embrace themselves. Kalu talked of that great moment when the President would engage Buhari in a squashcompetition in Aso Villa, and the day Dame Patience Jonathan's dinner hostess could be Senator Oluremi Tinubu. He said,"there is so much tensionin the land. We should play politics without bitterness,afterall, government isabout service to the people. I want to see Gen. Buhari sweat it out in a friendly squash game with Dr. Jonathan.How sweet it would sound to find The First Lady in the Ikoyi home of Senator Tinubu serving herself dinner. That is the kind of atmosphere that i wish my country". The ex-governor recalled that in the Second Republic Chief Obafemi Awolowo accepted National honour from President Shehu Shagari even as an opposition figure. "Papa Awo received Shagari's compliments,party politics was set aside. Even Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe did not rejectthe Mercedes birthday gift the then President sent to the Owelle. They respected Shagari as much as he regarded them,"Kalu added. He urged politicians to be dynamic in their pursuit as they are supposed to serve the peoplein whatever capacity possible since no two persons can occupy one position at the same time. "We could serve in any capacity as long as we have the interest of Nigerians. We are copying the Americans. I wish to remind us that their sixth President,John Quincy Adams became a memberof the House of Representatives after his Presidency. Walter Mondale who was Vice President Under Jimmy Carter[1977-1981] served as Ambassador to Japan in 1983. Back home,Shagari was Local government chairman afterhis tenure as minister. Adeniran Ogunsanya, Maitama Sule were state commissioners after serviceas Federal ministers. Even Buhari served in the Abacha government, and first Nigerian Inspector-General of Police Loius Edet was a state Commissioner afterwards. That is service. I wishthis country peace," Kalu said.

Former Abia state governor Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu who clocked 53 Sunday ,turned spiritual preaching peace,love and reconciliation among politicians and looking forward to the day President Goodluck Jonathan andopposition leaders would embrace themselves. Kalu talked of that great moment when the President would engage Buhari in a squashcompetition in Aso Villa, and the day Dame Patience Jonathan's dinner hostess could be Senator Oluremi Tinubu. He said,"there is so much tensionin the land. We should play politics without bitterness,afterall, government isabout service to the people. I want to see Gen. Buhari sweat it out in a friendly squash game with Dr. Jonathan.How sweet it would sound to find The First Lady in the Ikoyi home of Senator Tinubu serving herself dinner. That is the kind of atmosphere that i wish my country". The ex-governor recalled that in the Second Republic Chief Obafemi Awolowo accepted National honour from President Shehu Shagari even as an opposition figure. "Papa Awo received Shagari's compliments,party politics was set aside. Even Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe did not rejectthe Mercedes birthday gift the then President sent to the Owelle. They respected Shagari as much as he regarded them,"Kalu added. He urged politicians to be dynamic in their pursuit as they are supposed to serve the peoplein whatever capacity possible since no two persons can occupy one position at the same time. "We could serve in any capacity as long as we have the interest of Nigerians. We are copying the Americans. I wish to remind us that their sixth President,John Quincy Adams became a memberof the House of Representatives after his Presidency. Walter Mondale who was Vice President Under Jimmy Carter[1977-1981] served as Ambassador to Japan in 1983. Back home,Shagari was Local government chairman afterhis tenure as minister. Adeniran Ogunsanya, Maitama Sule were state commissioners after serviceas Federal ministers. Even Buhari served in the Abacha government, and first Nigerian Inspector-General of Police Loius Edet was a state Commissioner afterwards. That is service. I wishthis country peace," Kalu said.