The Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has accused APC governors of instigating violence with their remarks over the federal government’s naira redesign policy. Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s assistant, spoke on his behalf. He claimed that some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are instigating disturbances by making “inciting comments.”
Ten states have joined as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regarding the naira redesign policy, including Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Lagos, Katsina, Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Sokoto. A few governors of states, notably those of Kaduna and Ogun, have also rejected the president’s order about the naira redesign strategy and declared the old naira notes to be legal tender while the supreme court decides the case.
Shaibu claimed in a statement on Monday that the violence that has followed protests in some regions of the country was a result of the APC governors’ comments threatening to shut down banks if they accept the old naira notes.
The former N1,000 and N500 notes are no longer accepted as lawful money, the President made that clear. Instead of turning to self-help, those who disagree with the President’s announcement should file a lawsuit. Two mistakes do not equal a right, he declared.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is Ogun State’s top citizen, should know better. He has, nonetheless, threatened to remove the certificates of the authority of banks that adhere to the President’s declaration.
As a result of this act of disobedience, there have been riots and bank fires in Sagamu, Abeokuta, and Mowe. Agents of Governor Abiodun may be seen circulating the old notes in envelopes branded with the governor’s image in viral videos posted across social media, persuading the followers that they remain legal tender in defiance of CBN policy.
It is clear that Governor Abiodun’s interest is unrelated to the suffering of the populace. It is solely due to his party’s failure to buy votes. If we may ask, from where did the APC in Ogun State obtain the outdated, out-of-print notes? This is amount of money that were set aside for buying votes.
Shaibu agreed with the Edo government’s assertion that the recent riots in the city were started by Adams Oshiomhole, a former state governor and APC national chairperson.
One of the most vocal opponents of the naira redesign strategy is Oshiomhole. It is hardly shocking that Governor Obaseki, the state’s top security official, has determined that Oshiomhole is responsible for the disturbances. The APC must cease inciting these riots immediately, he emphasized.
“The APC does not love the people, nor do their governors. Their main complaint is that this policy prevents them from buying votes. Nigerians must not fall for these dishonest politicians’ tricks.
Shaibu urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, and other security organizations to find out who was funding the rioters. The postponing of elections, which are less than five days away, may be the ultimate aim of the riots’ backers. We applaud the military and the police for putting a stop to some of these riots thus far,” he continued.
But we urge them to take a step further and reveal their sponsors.
