SOLUDO'S FORCED EXIT, THE POLITICS OF CBN GOVERNORSHIP?

Icheoku asks, if Professor Chukwuma Soludo's tenure at the Central Bank of Nigeria manifested such a "dedicated service and uncommon sense of duty", why then was he not re-appointed? Why was his contract not renewed, after-all his deputy, Mr. Babatunde Lemo's was re-appointed to another term of five years? The answer, it would seem, was that the Hausa-Fulani controlled bureau` de change operators in Nigeria wanted him out; and hence put an unbearable pressure on the knee-jerk bloody President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who snapped and had to replace him.

In a letter of "commendation" sent to the now ex-governor of Central bank of Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, President Umaru Yar'Adua wrote “As your tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria comes to a "glorious end", I write on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria to place on record our debt of gratitude to you for your "dedicated service and uncommon sense of duty" over the past five years. I am confident that your worthy antecedents in the CBN and in prior appointments in the service of our nation remain sources of inspiration to an entire generation. As I wish you even more astounding successes in the years ahead, it is my fervent hope that you will readily avail us of your distinguished service when the need arises in the future.” Icheoku says the need for Soludo distinguished services is now that the world financial ship is still in turbulent waters and not in an utopia distant chasm future which may never come, especially in today's Nigeria where Ali Baba and the forty thieves are holding sway? Further, what is so "glorious" about one's tenure coming to an end, when a renewable appointment was not specifically renewed; whereas that of his deputy was renewed? If there is anybody who had a glorious run in the eyes of the sick man of Katsina, it is that deputy governor of central bank, who was signed up again for another five years but definitely not Soludo, who had been shown the way out. Who is really fooling who in Nigeria and when will the proverbial Nigerian chicken ever come home to roost?

In as much as Icheoku does not really care about who runs the central bank of Nigeria or in any other way, be-grudge President Umaru Yar'Adua's prerogative to appoint whosoever he pleases to any office in the land, including that of central bank of Nigeria governor; we however object to the continued running of things aground by the Hausa-Fulani hijackers of Nigeria? Nigeria has been in the doldrums all these years due to their excessive, stubborn and fanatical hold on power; and the evidence on the ground does not justify this their obstinate death-hold on power? Also Soludo's stay at central bank once again proved that some people are definitely better at running things?

As Chukwuma Soludo is forced out of the central bank, Icheoku asks him not to walk with a fallen crest but to walk tall, with his head high, because he left indelible prints in Central Bank of Nigeria. His stellar performance as governor of Central bank of Nigeria for the past five years, has debunked some nay-sayers who said that Nigeria's problems are intractable. What Soludo did at the central bank proved these theorists wrong, as it established that problematic Nigeria has a solution, if only the right people are allowed to run things therein, undisturbed. Madam Okonjo-Iwealla proved it; current information minister Dora Akunyili added impetus thereto while at NAFDAC and Professor Chukwuma Soludo has now stamped a seal of performance-ability of and by particular people from certain part of Nigeria? His performance confirmed beyond doubt that some people are uniquely gifted with the can-do attribute and given a chance, can deliver on any given assignment. The good news however is that a financial genius like Soludo will not be in the unemployment market for so long; as some appreciative and reasonable country or financial institution will snatch him up very soon. Where is Okonjo-Iwealla today? What about Obiageli Ezekwesili and the list will soon add up with an inevitable Soludo's elevation to a position, somewhere within the world financial circle?

Any reasonable government would have renewed Soludo's appointment without hesitation; especially in view of the fluidity of the world financial situation, which is still threatening many economies of the world, including that of Nigeria. Why change the horse mid-stream and not let the steady hand on the tiller navigate the waters for just five more years? Big deal? Also why not reward his effort and as a tribute for his courageous reformation of the banking industry in Nigeria, renew his appointment to show that the nation appreciated the work he did these past five years? Without Soludo's foresight, which provided Nigeria with the safe parachute in which it landed during this dire financial times, what would have become the fate of its financial system; may be it would have since gone belly-up? But no, he worked tirelessly for an ungrateful Nigerian government which thinks through its butt, and which would allow politics of north and south dichotomy to interject itself in such a high valued government position like the central bank governor? And who says it will soon be uhuru for Nigeria? Please bring up some other topic!

Be that as it may, the Hausa-Fulani north has yet again snagged another key entity, the central bank of Nigeria and no one is talking about federal character? What a subjective term, that only comes to play when issues based on real-performance ability is at stake and the north hides their incompetency thereunder? It does not matter to the north that it now occupies virtually every major institutions of Nigeria, from presidency to senate-presidency to defence to agriculture to finance and now to central bank and the list goes on and on? Our beef is not necessarily against the north but on the compliant Nigerians who merely tag along to the wishes of these mallams without voicing any objection to their dictates? It is unfortunate that Soludo's tenure was not renewed and regrettably the Nigerian financial system may suffer as a result; as it might soon possibly unravel given that the north usually reverses policies just for the heck of it? President Umaru Yar'Adua has reversed many of Olusegun Obasanjo's without proffering any himself, their aboki style?

Anyway, Icheoku, while wishing Soludo well and appreciating him for a successful run at the Central bank, congratulates Sanusi Lamido Aminu, the new point-man designate; and also wish him well! His confirmation is assured, as President Umaru Yar'Adua will always get what he wants from the also north-controlled senate! What a country, that runs on life-support that always sees things first in the prism of north and south; and not necessarily on the merits of the ground evidence? We are not saying that Sanusi Lamido Aminu is not qualified, no, our reasoning is that Professor Chukwuma Soludo's tenure should have been renewed under the circumstance of the prevailing turbulent world financial environment; which he has successfully managed very well so far. Why change a winning team just because of partisan and tribal consideration; and because the mallams said so and as always, will get what they want as owners of Nigeria? President Umaru Yar'Adua is just despicable and a hack partisan of the lowest cadre. Talk about a fanatical maniac, who unabashedly factors in religion and geography in all his considerations and you tell me that Nigeria will be ok?