President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve Ruby Onwudiwe as a replacement for Dr Kalu Eke, who refused the President’s nomination to the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Kalu turned down the President’s offer because he is already working at the World Bank and other financial institutions.
Tinubu made this request in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, which was read during plenary on Wednesday.
In the letter, the President stated that the request for confirmation was in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria Establishment Act, 2007.
The letter said, “I am happy to present for approval by the Senate, the appointment of Dr. Ruby Onwudiwe as a member of the CBN board of directors. The Senate is asked to note that Onwudiwe is taking the place of Mr. Kalu Eke, as Eke is unavailable for the position.
“I hope that the Senate will consider and approve the appointment of Onwudiwe quickly. Please accept my highest regards.”
The Senate had previously confirmed four out of the five nominees selected by Tinubu as board members of the CBN.
The confirmed individuals were Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Muslimat Olanike Aliyu, but Eke did not appear before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions for screening.
Although Eke did not give a formal explanation to the committee or the Senate, former Abia State governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, informed the Senate that the nominee could not attend the screening due to a conflict with his current position as a consultant to the World Bank, among other responsibilities.
He also mentioned that Eke had already informed the CBN that he would not be able to take up the position being nominated for by the President.
