The Senate has disclosed that Urum Kalu Eke, a nominee for the appointment as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abia State, has rejected his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.

This decision comes as a surprise and raises questions about the reasons behind Eke’s refusal as the Senate will have to consider alternative candidates for the position.

However, the Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of four other members of the Board of Directors of the CBN forwarded by President Bola Tinubu.

Those confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as Directors are  Robert Agbede; Ado Yakubu Wanka; Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.

The confirmation came after the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, APC, Lagos East, considered the screening report of the nominee.

Confirming the names, Abiru said “That the Senate do receive and consider the report on the confirmation of the nomination of the following Five (5) persons as members of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with section 6(1), (2) (d) and 10 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

According to him, the Committee  did not clear Urum Kalu Eke from Abia because he failed to appear before the Committee  for screening.

Speaking on the nominee,  former  Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North told the Senate that the person who is his constituent had called him on phone that he rejected the offer because it would conflict with his present job as a consultant  with the World Bank. 

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had last week,  written the Senate,  seeking for the screening  and subsequent confirmation of five persons appointed as directors of the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the President of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio during yp plenary.

The appointed board directors of the CBN are; Robert Agbide, Ado Wanga, Murtala Sagaley, Urom Kalu  Eke and Olayinka Aliyu.

In the letter,  Tinubu who explained  that his request was in compliance with the provision of section  6(1a) of the section 10(1)(2) of the CBN Act,  2007, said, “In compliance with the provision of section 6(1a) of the section 10(1)(2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) establishment act 2007. 

“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the senate the appointments of the underlisted five persons as directors of the board of the CBN.”