Sunday 12 January 2014

Sanusi’s successor: FG considers Lemo, Utomi, Aig-Imokhuede






Succession moves have begun for the plum job of the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the incumbent, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is due to leave next June.
This has particularly been accentuated following Sanusi’s reported brush with the Federal Government in which the latter asked him to tender his resignation with immediate effect.
The CBN governor had written to the President that $49.8 billion Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) remittance to the federation account was missing; an allegation which he afterwards recanted.
It was gathered that though Sanusi insists that only two-thirds of the senate can terminate his tenure prematurely, the Presidency could still move to ease him out ahead of time. CBN deputy governor, Mr Tunde Lemo, who retired over the weekend is reported to be a frontline contender.
Sources close to him said he was full of hopes that his leaving office would not affect his chances of succeeding Sanusi as governor of the apex bank. Fifty-four-year-old Lemo retired from the bank after serving the maximum 10 years, that is, two five-year terms.
Sanusi has, however, said that he would not be renewing his contract when it expires in June.
Although President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to hint on who the next governor of the CBN will be, there are indications that the Federal Government, relying on various recommendations, may beam its searchlight on the deputies at the CBN, to pick Sanusi’s successor. So many recommendations, according to sources, have expanded the horizon in the search for Sanusi’s successor.
Those being considered outside the CBN include Mr. Philip Oduoza, the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and renowned professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi. Analysts had earlier tipped some of the CBN deputy governors among Sanusi’s likely successor.
Deputy Governor, Operations, Lemo; Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Sarah Alade, and Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu, were among the insiders cited.
However, Managing Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustafa Chike- Obi; Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Bisi Onasanya, and Managing Director, Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede, were also tipped for consideration if the presidency eventually decides to pick the candidate from outside the apex bank’s circle.

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