·..It will avert panic’ — APC campaign hails Buhari
By Oguwike Nnadi
The controversy over the final date for exchange of the old naira is not over yet as the House of Representatives have rejected the 10 days grace and extension by the Central bank of Nigeria CBN)
The CBN had on Sunday said that President Muhammadu has approved a 10 days extension to enable every Nigerian to complete the naira swap exercise
But the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on new Naira re-design and swap policy on Sunday rejected the 10 days extension, insisting that the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele must appear before it on Tuesday or face arrest as directed by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila
The committee in a statement issued by its chairman, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, described the extension as a mere political gimmick to further deceive Nigerians and worsen their economic and social livelihood
Doguwa, who is also the House Majority Leader, rejected the extension, insisting that the CBN must comply with sections 20 sub 3, 4, and 5 of the CBN Act.
It would be recalled that the Lower House, had during its sitting last Tuesday, following the outcry by Nigerians, constituted the Ad hoc committee to look into the issue.
Doguwa said, “The 10-day extension for the exchange of the old naira notes is not the solution. We as a legislative committee with a constitutional mandate of the House, would only accept clear compliance with Section 20 Sub-section 3, 4, and 5 of the CBN Act and nothing more.
Meanwhile All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential Campaign Council in a statement on Sunday commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the extension of the deadline for old naira notes..
The campaign council in a statement by its spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, also commended Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor, for “listening to the voice of well-meaning Nigerians on the exigency of extending the deadline for change of old N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes to the new ones”.
“Following difficulties experienced by Nigerians across the country from getting the new notes via ATMs and over the counter from Banks, many Nigerians especially requested for an extension of the 31 January, 2023 deadline,” he said.
“We welcome the 10 days extension of deadline and the additional seven days of grace.
“This window will enable Nigerians, especially those in rural and remote areas, to have more time to change their old notes and avert the panic that would have followed.
“We specially commend Presidential Muhammadu Buhari for approving this extension and for his leadership and statesmanship.
“In the same vein, we praise our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his forthrightness in addressing the concerns of Nigerians at his campaign rally in Abeokuta last week.
“Asiwaju Tinubu didn’t take the easy road by shying away from what would have caused serious inconvenience for our teeming masses.
“Asiwaju showed leadership and compassion for the welfare of Nigerians, at the most appropriate time.”
But in a different tune, the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on new naira re-design and naira swap policy on Sunday rejected the 10 days extension, insisting that the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele must appear before it on Tuesday or face arrest as directed by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila
The committee in a statement issued by its chairman, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, described the extension as a mere political gimmick to further deceive Nigerians and worsen their economic and social livelihood
Doguwa, who is also the House Majority Leader, rejected the extension, insisting that the CBN must comply with sections 20 sub 3, 4, and 5 of the CBN Act.
It would be recalled that the Lower House, had during its sitting last Tuesday, following the outcry by Nigerians, constituted the Ad hoc committee to look into the issue.
Doguwa said, “The 10-day extension for the exchange of the old naira notes is not the solution. We as a legislative committee with a constitutional mandate of the House, would only accept clear compliance with Section 20 Sub-section 3, 4, and 5 of the CBN Act and nothing more.
