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Scampers To Lobby Influential Nigerians To Save Job
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele has reportedly flee the US after his standoff with President Muhammadu Buhari over what was termed as smuggling of wealthy business men Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu and Terry Waya into a dinner organised by the US Chamber of Commerce.
According to SaharaReporters Mr. Emefiele asked to see President Buhari and then requested to leave for an "important" meeting in London. The President is said to have granted the request. And the CBN top shot hurriedly flown out of US leaving behind the money men. Presidency sources said the CBN governor’s request to leave Washington DC came as a surprise, as he had not previously informed President Buhari of any other meeting he had to attend, especially one that would deprive the President of a prominent member of his delegation.
Recall President Buhari during his visit to the US and in one of his speech told the audience that he was surprised to see Mr. Ovia, and that he thought the CBN Governor had brought him along. He also expressed surprise at the presence of Wale Tinubu, who happens to be a good friend of Buhari’s All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu.
The crowd, which mostly comprised of US businessmen, did not fully understand the heart of Buhari’s position which wasn’t part of his prepared speech for the evening. Buhari earlier warned his aides not to smuggle Nigerian businessmen into his meetings throughout his US visit. It was also learned that Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, who was at the dinner , was only allowed to greet Buhari when it was over.
Elumelu and Ovia were formidable supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan but since Buhari’s victory, these and many other businessmen have been looking for ways to warm themselves into the Buhari fold.
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