Buhari To Address Nigerians Amid Raging Protests On CBN Currency Swap
In Ibadan, angry demonstrations were seen in different parts of Ibadan, such as Mokola, resulting in a gridlock along Eleyele/Eruwa road. Cars were turned back at some point while some schoolchildren were forced to return home as a result of the protest. Commercial activities were grounded as Mokola Road was turned into a football field.
Most major roads were deserted as many residents resorted to trekking long distances.
Some fish sellers took their protest to a private radio station in Ibadan, claiming that they sold all their products on Tuesday, accepting the old notes but on getting to the strongrooms to their bank to deposit the funds, no one was willing to sell to them.
Crowds were seen in front of the CBN office at Dugbe waiting to be attended to in the bid to change old naira notes amid heavy security presence.
In Delta, the angry protesters blocked the major highway with bonfires and other objects at their disposal, destroying automated teller machines (ATMs) belonging to some banks in the area.
Angry youths protested the scarcity of the newly redesigned naira notes and the rejection of the old notes by people. The demonstrations first broke out at Orhuwhorun junction before spreading to the expressway.
Part of the buildings of banks was vandalised by the mob who hurled stones and other objects at the premises, prompting bank workers and their customers to scamper for safety.
It took the efforts of armed security operatives and the governors of some states to calm the angry mob.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa appealed for calm and patience while the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-olu warned that it is illegal to reject the old naira notes.
Okowa’s appeal was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu.
He called on the people to remain calm while also appealing to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the monetary authorities to take further steps in increasing the money supply in the system.
“We appeal to our brothers and sisters across the state to keep calm in spite of the current travails they are going through as a result of the scarcity of naira notes in the country,” the statement read in part.
“As a government, we are not unaware of your sufferings but we appeal to you to be patient with the monetary authorities as they take steps to improve the money supply in the country.
“We are very much aware of your pains and concerns, but burning down a bank that employs our people will not augur well for us as a nation even as it will not also solve the problem but will further compound the situation.
“Once again, we appeal to you all to sheath your swords while we continue to engage the CBN to ensure more funds are released to the banks in the country.”
The governor’s appeal comes on the heels of protests by some citizens of the state at Orhuwhorun community in Udu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state where a bank’s ATM gallery was reportedly torched.
In a statement on behalf of the Lagos state government, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said that “it is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court”.
Omotoso said that the governor appealed to the people of the state to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers “who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda”, as he is confident that the judiciary would resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Government wishes to put on record the patience and calmness of Lagosians following the controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.
“The state government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22. When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.
“That position has not changed. The State Government hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. He is confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.
To cushion the effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on the old notes, especially on the vulnerable among us, Lagos State has started the distribution of the food packs promised by the Governor. The 50 percent fares slash on all State transportation facilities continues, as directed by Mr. Governor”.
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