Prominent leaders from Nigeria's South-East region have raised serious concerns over recent appointments to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Board, accusing Governor Dr. Godwin Emefiele of engaging in a pattern of "ethnic cleansing" by excluding individuals from the South-East in top-level directorial positions.
In a statement issued today, the leaders claimed that the recent appointments lacked transparency and fairness, with a disproportionate representation of individuals from specific ethnic backgrounds while sidelining qualified professionals from the South-East.
"We are deeply concerned by the exclusion of qualified South-Easterners from the Central Bank’s directorship despite their immense contribution to Nigeria’s financial and economic sectors," said Chief Ifeanyi Nwosu, a prominent South-East political leader and one of the signatories of the statement. "These appointments are not just about professional qualifications but about fair representation. The persistent underrepresentation of our people in key institutions like the Central Bank is not just a policy oversight, but a deliberate attempt at ethnic marginalization and exclusion."
The South-East leaders are demanding a review of the recent appointments and an immediate commitment to inclusivity and fairness. They have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure that all regions are adequately represented in key government institutions, including the Central Bank.
"These appointments must reflect the rich diversity of Nigeria," Nwosu continued. "Ethnic and regional balance is crucial to national unity. We will not stand idly by while the South-East continues to be systematically excluded from positions of power and influence."
This accusation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over ethnic and regional imbalances in the appointments made by top government officials across various sectors. While Governor Cardoso has yet to respond publicly to the allegations, it is expected that the central bank will issue a formal statement in the coming days.