Jonathan ran CBN like Idi-Amin — Soludo

*We took over from a govt that destroyed our economy —APC

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA — A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Charles Soludo, has accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of running the apex bank during his presidency the way former Ugandan President, Idi Amin, ran his country.

Charles Soludo

Similarly, the APC has said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, “squandered” the resources of the country, as the APC met nothing on the ground to run the country.

In an interview in the current Business Edition of The Interview, Soludo said it was regrettable that in spite of the bank’s statutory independence, it continues to be a victim of high-wire politics, often “electrocuting” the bank’s leadership.

According to him, “imagine a scenario where a president can order the CBN to create an intervention fund for national stability and CBN literally ‘prints’ say, N3 trillion, and doles it out cash to the Presidency to prosecute an election campaign or for just about anything he fancies. It is a scary thought.

“We are going down a dangerous path that ruins the economy. I don’t know any other country where such is tolerated, except perhaps what I watched in a movie about Idi Amin and his governor of central bank.

“Recent revelations regarding the ‘arms-gate’ (revelations involving former NSA Sambo Dasuki on $2.1 billion arms scam) and the apparent abuse of the CBN as ATM by the presidency should get reasonable people thinking.”

PDP govt embezzled our wealth —APC

Meanwhile, the APC has urged Nigerians to be patient with the government of the President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring the people that the president was committed reviving the economy.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, while speaking exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, yesterday, said: “Personally, I am worried about the current situation of economy but again I am letting you know it is not our fault because this is what we met. We met a bastardized system. We took over from a government that destroyed our economy. The PDP government embezzled the wealth of our nation. So our economy is something we are fighting to survive.

“And I can assure you that our government is taking every necessary step to make sure we revive our economy and that everything will come to stay. Clearly, I can tell you that this is why the president is moving round to make sure our economy stands again.

“The current situation of our country, I am asking Nigerians not to blame President Buhari because he is working very hard to make sure things go well with Nigerians that voted APC government to power. They will not be disappointed.

“So, the blame goes back again to the previous government, the PDP government which squandered and damaged the resources of our country. And today, Nigeria as a nation is suffering because of them. But by the grace of God, things will be fine again.”

Jonathan ran CBN like Idi-Amin — Soludo