Concerns Voiced by the Concerned Northern Forum:
The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) issued a warning to President Bola Tinubu concerning the appointment of Jim Obazee as the special investigator tasked with scrutinizing the operations of the nation’s leading bank during the suspension of its governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Cautionary Note on Investigator Selection:
The forum expressed apprehension, likening President Tinubu’s potential move to navigate a minefield blindfolded due to the contentious choice of Jim Obazee for the crucial investigative role.
Aliyu Muhammad, the CNF president, highlighted serious concerns about Obazee’s suitability for such a probing task.
Doubts Over Investigator’s Background:
Citing Jim Obazee’s past conduct, the CNF deemed him unsuitable, particularly for an inquiry of financial nature.
Muhammad stressed Obazee’s alleged dubious background, asserting that it disqualifies him from overseeing examinations involving financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Appeal to Heed Previous Actions:
The forum urged President Tinubu to consider the actions taken by his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who reportedly terminated Jim Obazee’s tenure.
They emphasized Buhari’s stance against corruption and implied that Tinubu should align with this perspective in the selection of individuals for such sensitive investigations.
Opposition to Potentially Biased Report:
Expressing skepticism, the CNF criticized the integrity and fairness of the report, labeling it as one-sided and partisan.
They cautioned against utilizing a report deemed compromised, asserting that its author’s credibility and recommendations could have detrimental effects on Nigeria’s economic stability.