"Sanusi’s suspension will not affect Nigeria’s economy" - Presidency

The Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, will not have negative effect on the nation’s monetary policies.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday few hours after the suspension, the spokesman for the president, Dr Reuben Abati, reassured investors that the government was committed to the stability of the economy, the Naira and the country’s monetary policies.

“The monetary policy of Nigeria remains the same and there is stability within the system and so investors within the Nigerian economy have no reason whatsoever to fear. That decision was taken only with regard to internal governance issues within the Central Bank,” Dr Abati said.

Dr Abati also debunked claims that the suspension was in connection with the ongoing appearances at the National Assembly by the suspended CBN governor on issues bordering on Kerosene subsidy and unremitted funds to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Mr Sanusi had claimed that the NNPC did not remit $20 billion, a claim that the National Assembly is currently investigating.