Ex CBN Governor, Soludo’s Visit To Presidential Villa Raises Eyebrow

The sudden appearance of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to Aso Rock Presidential Villa yesterday has left many observers speculating as to the motive.
Soludo arrived at the Villa today and was seen signing the visitors book on his way to the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, ‎Alhaji Abba Kyari.
Donning a cream- coloured kaftan, the former CBN governor entered the Chief of Staff’s office at about 4.45pm.
His visit came at a time the President is believed to be concluding work on the list of ministerial nominees which he is expected to send to the National Assembly before the end of this month.
This is despite the fact that ‎Soludo, who served as CBN governor under the administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Yar’Adua, had on June 7 declared that he was not ready to work for Buhari’s government.
Soludo has been critical of the financial management of the economy by the Jonathan administration, accusing it of supervising the leakage of 30 trillion from the system.
“Nigerians and their rumours! I am glad you said they are rumours and such rumours are normal. For sure, I wish the new government success and for the sake of Nigeria, everyone must contribute to assist President Buhari succeed. I will contribute in whatever way I can. However, everyone can’t sit in government in order to serve: some will be there on full time basis while others can contribute from outside. For me personally and at this point in time, I am not disposed or available for full time public service now; perhaps in the future it could happen, but not now. For now, my hands are full with several other experiments I am involved with (especially abroad) in the private sector, charity, think-tanks, and the international community. I am part of a major initiative in Africa’s mining and solid minerals sector, and this takes me through several African countries, etc. I am having great fun exploring totally new vistas of opportunity that are central to Africa’s great leap in the 21st century. I read that President Buhari will give priority to solid minerals. We can provide free advisory services and perhaps assist to mobilize investment in the sector or in any other areas if our advice is needed. In effect, there are several ways we can assist the government to succeed but not necessarily to take up full time appointment. No, not now,” he had said.
He was responding to rumours that he criticized Jonathan’s administration towards its end in the hope of getting an appointment from Buhari.
He was engaged in a war of words with former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who expressed reservations over Soludo’s criticism of the last administration.
Okonjo- Iweala had fired back at Soludo, saying his tenure as CBN governor was also a disaster.
Immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi was also seen in the Presidential Villa yesterday, wearing a dark – coloured kaftan with a cap. He entered the Chief of Staff’s office about 30 minutes after Soludo.
The two men waited for the Chief of Staff because he had been in the President’s office when they entered the Villa.  [myad0]