Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others have reacted to the Supreme Court’s order on Wednesday, suspending the February 10th deadline for the swapping of old to new Naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
As Supreme Court issued an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from suspending the acceptance of the old Naira notes on the Friday February 10, 2023 deadline.
Recall on Monday, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kogi State Governors instituted a suit against the Federal Government at the Supreme Court over scarcity of old and new Naira notes due to the CBN naira redesign policy.
The state governments said they are worried about the effects the CBN naira redesign policy is having on the residents of their states.
The states said there has been a shortage in the supply of the new naira notes in Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States and that citizens who have dutifully deposited their old naira notes have increasingly found it difficult and sometimes next to impossible to access new naira notes to go about their daily activities.
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu while reacting hailed the Governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank new Naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to pains.
Following the apex court ruling, APC Presidential Candidate noted that the governors have saved the country from a needless political, economic crises and miseries which have clearly become the unintended consequences of the monetary policy of the apex bank.
He stated further that the Court ruling coincided with the advisory of the International Monetary Fund urging for the extension of deadline for the swap of the old naira notes, going by the problems being experienced across the country in getting the new notes.
Tinubu said, “I want to salute the courage of our Governors and most especially Progressives Governors in APC who acted to save our country from avoidable and dangerous political crises and social unrest which the Central Bank policy on new Naira notes has brought on our country.
“Our country was dangerously careering toward anarchy and political and economic shutdown. But with the Supreme Court interim ruling our country has been pulled back from the precipice. We thank our Supreme Court Justices for ruling wisely on the side of the people who have been subjected to undue agony and pains since this policy was announced”, he said.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani- Kayode on his social platform, said it’s a welcome development, he thanked the Supreme Court who have not only displayed remarkable insight and sensitivity in this matter and courageously risen to the occassion.
“But who have also proved that the courts really are the last hope of the common man when faced with the tyranny of abusive and the cruel Government policies and insane officials” he said.
Fani-Kayode said further that Nigerian must thank his three dearest friends and brothers, men of courage and conviction all, who took the FG to court on this issue Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state and Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state.
According to him, “History and posterity will reward all three of you for saving us from the most complex and greatest evil and the darkest conspiracy that has ever been hatched against democracy and foisted on our people by a tiny group of evil technocrats and saboteurs working for a greater power.
“At least now we have a chance to change the narrative and take away the immense suffering that has been imposed on our people over the last few days.
“At least for now there is a distinct possibility that this catastrophic scorched earth policy which seeks to inflict pain on our people, destroy our future as a nation and scuttle democracy in our country may be declared totally illegal by the Supreme Court and cancelled”.
Also, Adama Garba on his Twitter handle said, “Supreme Court stops withdrawal of Old Naira Notes by the CBN. Old Naira notes still remains. Game over”.