Naira Redesign: AOC insists FG, CBN must respect Supreme Court as Buhari endorses Tinubu

By Grace Kehinde

The All Progressives Congress has asked the Attorney General of the Federation and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to respect the Supreme Court order of interim injunction on the Naira note re-design.

This call was part of the resolution reached at the emergency meeting between the the party’s governors and members of its National Working Committee on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the National Chairman of the party, AbdullahiAdamu, who addressed the newsmen at the end of the closed-door meeting, said the meeting also appealed to PresidentMuhammadu Buhari to intervene in resolving issues caused by the new Naira note re-design and the cashless economy policy.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had in a ruling granted an interim injunction that the CBN and the federal government should suspend the implementation of the Feb.10 deadline for the expiration of the legal tender status of the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes.

This, it said, should be pending until the hearing and determination of a suit before it is slated for Feb. 22.

Buhari had however on Feb. 16, announced that only the old N200 note would remain valid until April 10, while the old N500 and N1000 notes had lost their legal tender status, contrary to the ruling of the apex court.

The Communique read in part, “We note very seriously that the programme and its implementation is causing tremendous difficulties to the people of Nigeria and to the national economy.

“That we urge the Attorney General of the Federation and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to respect the Supreme Court order of interim injunction which is still subsisting.

“That the meeting is urging his Excellency, President Buhari, to intervene in resolving issues that are causing this great difficulty to the economy,” Adamu said.

He added that contrary to speculations, the party’s leadership and governors elected on its platform under the agies of the Progressives Governors Forum were on the same page on this matter.

Also speaking, Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Kebbi and Chairman PGF, expressed satisfaction with the party’s ongoing presidential campaign across the country.

“The Director-General of the campaign and indeed, governors and the party’s candidates across the country have been doing a tremendous job of mobilising the Nigerian populace.

“And we are very impressed with the support of the majority of Nigerians,” he said

In the meantime, President Buhari has once again endorsed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for presidency.

The President currently in Addis Ababa on Sunday sent a message, saying he is fully aware of hardship some policies of government, “which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country” had caused and appealed for further patience as the government takes appropriate measures to ease them.

In a video recording to shore up support for Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the upcoming elections a few days ahead, the President thanked Nigerians for electing him to be President for two terms, and urged them to vote for the APC flag bearer because “he is reliable and I know he will build on our achievements.”

In the campaign message to voters, the President specifically put a call on “our traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to warn their followers and wards alike, to not allow themselves to be used by a few to foment trouble.

“I want to assure you that the Government has taken adequate security measures to allow everyone to come out and cast their votes. I am therefore appealing to everyone to give them the necessary support.

“Fellow Nigerians, I want to use this opportunity to once again thank you for electing me to be your President on two occasions.

“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of AsiwajuBola Ahmed Tinubu. As I mentioned before, Tinubu is a true believer in Nigeria, who loves the people and the development of our country.

“I am calling on all of you to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements.

“Finally, I want to once again assure you that I am fully aware of the current hardship you are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.

“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”

The President emphasized that the APC presidential candidate has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the country and the well-being of its people