Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Following the protests have trailed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new naira policy, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for more patience from Nigerians.
Buhari, in a statement signed on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said he is fully aware of the hardship Nigerians are currently facing over the policy, adding that the policy is meant to improve the country’s economy.
Protests have popped up across the country following the president’s announcement on Thursday that only old N200 notes will remain legal tender until April 10.
All old N500 and N1000 notes, according to Buhari, must be returned to the CBN or designated locations on or before April 10, 2023.
Buhari’s announcement came despite a pending Supreme Court order restraining the Federal Government from effecting the February 10 deadline for the use of old naira notes.
Speaking on Sunday, the President said: “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.”
Buhari also drummed support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The president thanked Nigerians for electing him to the country’s highest office 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.”
“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola 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 Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements,” he said.
The President emphasised that the APC presidential candidate has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the country and the well-being of its people.
His message comes barely two days before the grand finale of the APC presidential campaign rally in Lagos on Tuesday, which he is expected to attend.
