Naira notes deadline should be extended to June, SDP advises Buhari

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has advised the All Progressives Congress governors and stalwarts to address APC’s internal wrangling, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the deadline for using the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes to June.

“We advise the APC governors to protect our hard-earned democracy by addressing their party’s internal issues for the benefit of the masses. The APC principal candidates for the forthcoming elections should come together and cause their party leadership to meet with Mr president and settle all issues of concern,” Alfa Mohammed, SDP national publicity secretary, gave the advice on Thursday in an interview in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed said Nigerians were going through untold hardship due to the ill-timed Central Bank of Nigeria money swap programme and the biting artificial fuel scarcity.

“There is no doubt that the terrible effect of the ill-timed CBN swap programme, just like the biting artificial fuel scarcity, is causing untold hardship on Nigerians, especially those at the lower rung of the economy whose daily survival depends on daily cash transactions like the unskilled job seekers, hawkers and traders at the remote areas,” he explained.

The SDP chieftain added, “Generally, economic activities have slowed down drastically and the consequent spiral effect of the malicious and ill-timed cash restriction policy has brought instant public anger and hatred against the ruling party and its candidates in the forthcoming elections.”

According to him, Mr Buhari’s regime risks mass demonstrations against the policy on the eve of the election or a mass boycott of the general election, and these can undermine public peace, the election and the nation’s hard-earned democracy.

The SDP spokesman urged Mr Buhari to extend the deadline for replacing the old naira notes for the new banknotes to June, as demanded by the National Assembly.

Mr Mohammed said the APC-led government must be focused on ensuring ease in cash flow so its citizens could transact businesses without malicious intentions, fear, rage and anger.

(NAN)