In a recently unveiled memoir titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),” former President Muhammadu Buhari shed light on his decision not to dismiss the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, amidst speculations about his interest in the 2023 presidential race.
The memoir, presented in Abuja on Tuesday, was authored by ex-Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
Buhari, in the book, revealed that he refrained from sacking Emefiele because the latter never discussed his presidential aspirations with the former president.
“I met Emefiele in office when I came, and unless there was firm evidence against him, it would be unfair and an act of injustice to remove him, acting on hearsay,” Buhari stated in the memoir.
The former president emphasized the importance of evidence before taking punitive actions, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences of unjust actions on an individual’s reputation.
“If you punish a man unjustly, it could dog his footsteps throughout life, so if you would punish, you must have evidence and you should know that yourself wouldn’t be there forever. You would leave one day,” Buhari remarked.
He further highlighted his awareness of the impact such decisions could have on the morale of his team, expressing his expectation for fairness from those who would succeed him.
“When he was linked with the campaign for the 2023 presidency, I did not ask him, because he told nobody he was getting involved. Otherwise, I would have removed him and told the nation why,” Buhari added, underscoring his commitment to transparency and fairness in leadership.
