Lord Daniel Hannan, a member of the British House of Lords, the United Kingdom Parliament has advised democrats as well as political elites to join Nigeria's Federal Government in support of independence of its institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria as the country prepares for the 2023 general election.

Lord Hannan, who is a member of both the Board of Trade and Conservative Peer and Baron of Kingsclere issued the advice on Wednesday while answering questions at the UK Parliament.

He spoke against the background of reported plots to arrest and charge Godwin Emefiele (Governor of the CBN), for alleged money laundering.

Hannan, in an interview with The PUNCH Abuja, stated that the rule of law, due procedure, and independence of public officials should be protected because they are part of the democratic values which bind the Commonwealth nations together.

He criticized the moves of the Nigerian political class to witch-hunt Emefiele over the redesigning of the naira, and the associated policy of cash withdrawal limitations.

Hannan said, “I am not (a) Nigerian. It is not for me to say whether it was time for a redesign of naira notes or whether such a change will make elections cleaner. But I do feel that friends of Nigeria, and friends of Nigerian democracy, should defend the rule of law there.

“At a time when democracy is in retreat globally, we all have a stake in Nigeria’s success. The country is Africa’s greatest economy, Africa’s greatest population and Africa’s greatest hope.

“That is why I have raised the issue of the attempt to detain Emefiele, in the Parliament. And that is why I hope that democrats on all sides will join Nigeria in supporting the independence of its institutions in the run-up to the 2023 elections – including, of course, the Central Bank.”

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