Akeredolu accuses those behind the naira redesign programme of only doing it to frustrate Tinubu

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has accused those behind the redesign of the Nigerian currency the naira of introducing the measure to frustrate the ambitions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

On November 23 last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched redesigned ₦‎200, ₦‎500 and ₦‎1000 banknotes, saying the naira was long overdue to wear a new look. Nigerians had been given until January 31 to hand in all old notes, after which time they will cease to be legal tender but the process has been fraught with difficulties, prompting the National Assembly to ask the CBN to extend the deadline.

Under pressure from all angles, CBN chairman Godwin Emefiele announced a new deadline of  February 10. However, the last few weeks have been sheer hell for Nigerians as they have found it impossible to get hold of these new notes and this currency scarcity has created shortages in other areas, with petrol shortages now a chronic problem too.

On February 25, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a new president with the main frontrunners being former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party. After the presidential poll on February 25, there shall be National Assembly, gubernatorial and state houses of assemblies elections up until March 11.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the cash swap policy of the APC-led government and the alleged artificial scarcity of fuel are both lethal injections deliberately administered to de-market the APC government, create an uncontrollable crisis in the nation and finally frustrate the 2023 general elections. He added that those behind the plot just wanted Asiwaju Tinubu to fail at the ballot box.

Governor Akeredolu said: “The goal is to truncate the election and deny the country the service of a true patriot, an endowed visionary with a proven record of character, knowledge, leadership and performance. It is also an attempt to abuse the principle of the rotational presidency by denying a section of this country its legitimate rights, thereby fuelling ethnic disaffection and creating a grave constitutional crisis in the country.

”Recall that in the course of these circumstances, I have offered clear and unequivocal statements as our stand on this dangerous and unfortunate adventure. To say the least, it is a dagger drawn at the heart of the ruling APC on the eve of the elections in order to destroy it and the governments it controls at the federal and state levels.

"As the nation trudges on, our resolve to deepen democracy and good governance must remain unflinching and abiding. Despite the desperate efforts by selfish and subversive elements within the government, to destroy the multi-party politics in Nigeria, the dividends of good governance brought to the people by the APC remain indelible in the recent history of our state in particular and the nation in general.

“The central purpose of the naira swap policy is to frustrate Tinubu’s popularity and renowned acceptability across all tribes and religions in this country.  As your governor, my duty to you at this time of great confusion and frustration is therefore to provide you with a clear vision of the path of redemption and hope.

"It is to charge you all to shake off the artificial frustration and the temporary barriers on your way to choosing a president who represents hope and assured brighter days ahead. My message to you is that despite all the well-planned intrigues to deny you of your democratic rights and the future and prosperity of your offspring, which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents, I urge you to troop out massively and vote for the APC on Saturday.

“This is the time to separate the past from the future. For us in Ondo State, this is our time to vote for a president who identifies with our challenges and who would help us to actualise our ongoing plan for the establishment of the Ondo Deep Sea Port and massive industrial revolution, tackle youth unemployment, achieve our dream of state police to solve our insecurity problems and ensure human capacity development."