News
Alleged Marginalisation of South East: Prominent Nigerians in US, UK, others move against CBN Governor Cardoso
…seek National Assembly’s intervention
Some prominent Nigerians of South East extraction in the Diaspora have initiated a petition against Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, over the alleged marginalisation of South Easterners in the apex bank.
The petition already signed by leading scholars, religious leaders and business titans of South East origin based in Germany, USA, United Kingdom, Finland, Australia, Ghana, Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, Norway, and Portugal, called on the NigerianNational Assembly to immediately investigate and review the appointments made by the CBN Governor “to ensure fairness and adherence to federal character principles.”
Entitled “Protest Against Marginalization of the South East in the CBN,” the petition was still gathering more signatures as at the time of filing this report on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The petitioners are urging the National Assembly to intervene in the matter just as they threatened electoral repercussions for any office holder perpetuating the marginalisation of South Easterners.
The petition reads in full:
Protest Against Marginalization of the South East in the CBN
“We, the umbrella body of South East Socio-cultural Associations in the diaspora, express deep concern and disappointment over the recent directorship appointments at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
A particular publication by Rufai Oseni, a respected columnist and TV personality, has brought to light serious allegations of lopsided and exclusionary appointments within the CBN.
The article, which can be found here https://veonewsng.com/index.php/2025/03/10/allegations-against-the-cbn/ provides a detailed and well-researched analysis of these appointments.
“Of utmost concern is the marginalization of South Easterners in the CBN under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso. As highlighted in the publication, the South East currently has only one director in the entire CBN—an outright injustice.
Systematic Exclusion of South Easterners
“Since assuming office as CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso has systematically marginalized South East staff. In May 2024, he dismissed all South East directors, including:
Chibuzor Efobi (Director, Financial Policy and Regulation)
Dr. Scholastica Ozoemena Nnaji (Director, Trade and Exchange)
Mr. Chibuike Nwaegerue (Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision)
Mrs. Nkiru Asiegbu (Director, Special Duties)
“In addition to these dismissals, over 20 Deputy Directors—including some of the most competent specialists recruited from abroad—were also sacked. Among them were:
Dr. Valentine Ururuka (Macro-prudential specialist from the University of Lancaster)
Dr. Odim Orji (Monetary Policy expert)
Mrs. Angela Ofili (HR specialist from London)
Mr. Eze Christian (HR specialist)
“Furthermore, 15 Assistant Directors of South East origin, as well as numerous Senior and Junior staff, were dismissed across various departments. The South East was disproportionately affected by Cardoso’s ill-advised purge, which lacked due process and has resulted in multiple legal battles currently embarrassing the CBN in court.
“These dismissals were neither reviewed nor approved by the CBN Board. They were not subjected to the Central Disciplinary Committee, and the affected staff were never informed of any offenses committed. At the time of these actions, there was no board in place, and Cardoso’s legal team has since struggled in court due to the lack of due process and supporting documents. This reckless and impulsive decision-making has created significant financial liability for the CBN and, by extension, Nigerian taxpayers.
Unfair Directorship Appointments
“Rufai Oseni’s publication also exposes the deliberate exclusion of South Easterners from directorship positions after their mass sack. Based on our analysis, five highly qualified South East candidates performed excellently in their respective interviews but were unjustly overlooked:
“Rita Ijeoma Sike – Competed for Director, Banking Supervision Department, outperformed her South West opponent (Adetona Sikiru Adedeji), but was given a different role. Meanwhile, Adedeji, despite losing, was appointed Director of Currency.
“Chikelu Edison Oballum – Won the interview for Development Finance Institutions Supervision Department against Monsurat Vincent (South West), yet was denied a position. Instead, Monsurat was appointed Director, Strategy, a role she neither applied for nor interviewed for.
“Paul Ihuoma Oluikpe – Competed in two categories (Strategy Management and Innovation Department and Corporate Communications Department) and ranked in the top two for both. Yet, he was denied both positions, with Strategy being handed to Monsurat Vincent, who never applied for it, and Corporate Communications arbitrarily merged with Investor Relations, changing the rules midway after candidates had participated rigorously in the process.
“Promise Joe-Ibekwe – A highly competitive South East female candidate for Director, Payments System Management Department, was replaced by Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, who never applied for the role.
“Ifeoma Geraldine Okwor – Placed among the top candidates for Banking Services Department but was not appointed, while less qualified South West candidates secured directorship positions.
A Pattern of Exclusion and Tribal Favoritism
“The findings in Oseni’s report reveal an alarming trend: South East candidates who performed excellently were sidelined, while South West candidates were rewarded—even when they underperformed or never even applied for certain positions.
“Governor Cardoso has set a dangerous precedent by appointing 13 Yoruba candidates to directorship positions in one sweep while leaving the South East with just one appointment out of 29 departments. This unprecedented level of regional favoritism in a national institution cannot be justified under the guise of “competence.”
“Unlike previous administrations that ensured regional balance, Cardoso has blatantly ignored federal character principles. Even former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele—despite his flaws—ensured that every region had at least four directors. Cardoso’s appointments, by contrast, expose him as a tribal champion who prioritizes ethnic loyalty over national unity.
Demand for Accountability and Justice
“We call on the National Assembly to:
(a) Investigate and review these appointments to ensure fairness and adherence to federal character principles.
(b) Reform the CBN governance structure to separate the roles of Governor and Board Chairman to prevent future abuses of power.
(c) Hold Governor Cardoso accountable for the unjust dismissal of South East staff and the financial liabilities incurred due to illegal terminations.
“The South East has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development, paying taxes and supplying resources essential to national growth. We will not tolerate systemic exclusion from national institutions.
“We are mobilizing our representatives and senators to challenge these injustices.
“Furthermore, the South East community in the diaspora will actively work to ensure that policies and institutions that discriminate against us will face political consequences in 2027.
“Enough is enough!”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released a list of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The list was released in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), on Saturday.
He noted that members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (has been) constituted; Abdulaziz Yari to serve as DG, Uzodimma secretary President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.
According to the statement, “The Chairman of the Campaign Council, President Tinubu, will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.’
The statement further read: “Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State have been assigned as Deputy Directors-General for the campaign in the South and the North. They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in the two zones.
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.
“James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.
“Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North-Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North-East.
“Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as Secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.
“Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the Legal Directorate as Director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members are Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former Governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
“The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as the Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, along with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu.
“The Media Directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka, who have been assigned as Coordinating Deputy Directors.
“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was thrown into deep mourning on Friday following the sudden death of its local government chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
Solomon reportedly slumped during a peace and reconciliation meeting held at the Iyara Town Hall, the administrative headquarters of the local government area.
According to participants, the meeting was in progress when the late party leader suddenly collapsed, causing instant confusion, panic, and devastation among the political leaders and delegates in attendance.
Efforts were made immediately to resuscitate him before he was rushed to a medical facility in neighboring Kabba.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Reports said the peace meeting was convened by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of the Ijumu Local Government Area who was recently tasked by the Ijumu Consultative Forum to harmonize political interests within the region.
The session aimed to reconcile factions, resolve internal disputes, and foster unity among stakeholders ahead of future political engagements.
The peace initiative followed an earlier meeting in Iyara where APC stakeholders endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for second terms.
However, the previous initiative had experienced visible friction over local government leadership, culminating in a walkout by the deceased and several top government functionaries.
Friday’s follow-up meeting was meant to bridge those divides, bringing together selected political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, and government appointees representing all 15 wards of Ijumu LGA.
However, the sudden passing of Solomon has delivered a major shockwave to the political landscape in Kogi West, casting a heavy shadow over ongoing efforts to unify party ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of press time, the exact cause of his death has not been officially disclosed, just as no formal statement has been received from the APC state executive and local authorities on the development ..
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries over the discovery of another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The affected PS are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The President also ordered the arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday after briefing the President for the second time in two days, following an earlier meeting on Thursday.The
Aliyu said the newly uncovered fake office, operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office,” had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF, contrary to extant laws and without presidential authorisation.
He said the discovery emerged in the course of the commission’s broader investigation, as earlier directed by the President.
The ICPC boss identified the promoter of the fake office as one George Nwabueze, who was said to be operating under multiple aliases.
“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The promoter was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” Aliyu said.
He revealed that the ICPC had engaged the OSGF to ascertain vital information relating to the fake office under investigation, and had comprehensively briefed the President on the new developments.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” he said.
Aliyu said following the discovery, “Mr President has directed as follows: the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following permanent secretaries; M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah,” he said.
Friday’s development is the latest in a scandal that began with the exposure of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, is currently facing prosecution on charges of forgery and impersonation.
The ICPC’s interim report, submitted to the President on August 6 after a 30-day investigation, had earlier disclosed the existence of two other fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office is the fourth fake agency uncovered after the PFIFC scandal since early April.
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