Peoples’ Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded a slight extension of the January 31 deadline given by the Central Bank of Nigeria for exchanging the old naira notes for the new ones at the country’s commercial banks.
Atiku said that the pain caused by this action is not intended for the initiative.
The former vice president posted a video, on Thursday, titled “My position on CBN’s January 31 deadline on new Naria banknotes” on his verified social media accounts to express his views on the challenges Nigerians face in complying. with the deadline. announced by the main bank of the country.
While applauding the currency conversion policy as a global practice, Atiku stressed that the timing is not adequate and needs to be adjusted slightly.
The PDP presidential candidate said: “The CBN’s ongoing policy to redesign the naira banknotes has generated wide reactions across the country and beyond.
“This exercise is a worldwide practice and there is nothing new about it, especially as the January 31 deadline approaches.
“Large numbers of Nigerians, out of good conscience, have expressed their fear about how politics and the deadline will make their lives difficult.
“I am also aware of the challenges farmers and artisans in remote areas face in transferring cash to commercial banks for exchange.
Speaking further, Atiku said he is forced to align his position with other Nigerians for a slight extension of the naira note exchange.
“The deadline is going to cause great discomfort for Nigerians. It will be magnanimous for the Federal Government and the regulator to ease the burden on the people as long as we can continue to raise public awareness of the mobile banking policy imperative.
“It is important that the CBN consider an extension for the public to exchange their old notes, thereby reducing the financial consequences for these vulnerable citizens. I think such a painful experience is not the intention behind the initiative,” she added.
