BREAKING: Drama As Appointee Rejects Tinubu’s Top Appointment

One of the nominees put forward by President Bola Tinubu for a position on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Urum Kalu-Eke, has declined the appointment.

However, the Senate confirmed the appointment of the remaining four nominees.

President Tinubu had initially submitted the names of Kalu-Eke and four others to the Senate for confirmation. Despite this, Kalu-Eke did not participate in the screening conducted by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions.

During the Senate’s consideration of the committee’s report, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, it was revealed that Kalu-Eke did not appear for screening, leading to the committee’s inability to recommend him for confirmation.

In response to this development, former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, shed light on Kalu-Eke’s decision to decline the appointment. Kalu, representing the nominee’s constituency, explained that Kalu-Eke cited his ongoing engagements and consultations with public and private entities, both domestically and internationally, as a reason for rejecting the appointment.

Kalu-Eke felt that accepting the position on the CBN board would conflict with his current professional commitments.

Kalu-Eke, aged 60, previously served as the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings until December 2021. He has held executive positions in institutions such as First Bank and Diamond Bank Plc, and also has experience with Deloitte Haskins & Sells International.