Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Following the unabated scarcity of new naira notes and fuel in many parts of the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has once again appealled to Nigerians to remain calm as the government and relevant agencies continue to work out solution.
A statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayou Onanuga, said Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Tuesday.
Tinubu said he sympathises with the people, especially the downtrodden who have been made to bear the brunt of the new naira policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and irregular supply of petrol that have combined to inflict avoidable pains on the masses
He commends the NNPC Limited for the fuel supply relief being enjoyed in the Federal Capital Territory and urged the company to step up its act to bring relief round the country.
The former Lagos State Governnor also urged the CBN not to be dogmatic in the deadline it has fixed for the transition from old naira notes to the new one, especially as the unintended consequence of the policy has been “massive pain on our people.”
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the current challenges will soon be over and pleaded that people should avoid anything capable of causing unrest in the country even when they are justifiably angry.
“This is a challenging period in the life of our country when our people are made to stay on the line for hours to get fuel and even get their own money from the banks.
“I empathise with Nigerians across the country especially the poor masses who have been made to bear the brunt and pains of the CBN naira policy and fuel scarcity the most.
“While government continues to work to solve these problems, let’s stay calm, maintain the peace and continue to shun and avoid any act capable of causing civil unrest and disharmony.
“What the opposition and enemies of democracy want is to create a state of national siege and tension that can disrupt the coming general elections and create an atmosphere of strife in our country.
“We must say no to them. We must be resolute and stand firm to protect our democracy by ensuring we hold our elections in a peaceful and orderly manner.
“I am in this race to bring renewed hope and prosperity to all Nigerians.
“There are no challenges that will be difficult for us as a people to surmount when we stand in unity of purpose.
“When you elect me, I will work to ensure security, economic prosperity, national unity and cohesion and we will together build a country that will be a source of joy to us all and a pride to every black person everywhere in the world,” Tinubu said.
