The South East nominee for membership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Board of Directors, Urum Kalu Eke, has rejected his appointment.
Eke declined his nomination by ignoring the Senate Committee’s scheduled screening exercise, which was attended by other four nominees.
The action of Kalu Eke was made public on Thursday as the Senate considered the report of the committee, which is chaired by Senator Adetokumbo Ashiru (Lagos-East).
Ashiru, while presenting the names of the other four nominees for confirmation by the Senate, said Kalu Eke failed to appear before the committee for screening.
“The nominee did not appear before the committee for screening. Therefore, the committee can’t recommend him for confirmation”, Abiru told the Senate presided over by the Deputy President, Senator Barau Jibrin, on Thursday.
Those confirmed by the Senate on Thursday were Mr Robert Agbide; Mr Ado Yakubu Wanka; Prof Murtala Sabo Sagagi; and Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.
Meanwhile, as the proceedings continued, Senator Orji Kalu, and member of the Abiru committee, rose to give further explanations on why Kalu Eke turned down the appointment.
Kalu who explained that the nominee was a member of his constituency, told his colleagues that Kalu Eke called to inform him that he was engaged and consulting for some public and private bodies within and outside the country.
He said he felt accepting to serve on the board of the CBN would be “conflicting” with the current work he was involved with.
Kalu Eke, 60, is a former Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings, serving until December 2021.
He had previously served as an executive director with First Bank.
Kalu Eke also worked with Diamond Bank Plc and Deloitte Haskins & Sells International
