A non-governmental organization, Pro Nigeria group (PNG), says despite the challenges following the redesign and distribution of the new naira notes by the CBN, it will help check vote trading.
The convener of the group, Isaac Balami stated this at a news briefing held during a solidarity walk from the Unity Fountain, Abuja, to the CBN headquarters.
Mr Balami accused the “political class” of frustrating the CBN policy.
“It is very very clear that CBN has given 10 days extension and the politicians in this country are trying to play politics to blackmail CBN to possibly blackmail the President to go back on his words,” he alleged.
“We are here to support the CBN policy because we know that this issue of new monetary policy is going to help to stop vote-buying,” he insisted.
According to Mr Balami, the banks have “enough money” but politicians “are buying it” to the detriment of ordinary citizens.
“We are aware that the Central Bank of Nigeria has released money to all the banks,” he continued. “All the banks have money, but politicians are buying this money from them at a higher cost at black market rate, thereby frustrating the citizens to go against CBN, to go against the government.
“We are saying NO!”
At the CBN headquarters, the Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwasinobi, who responded on behalf of the banks management, said they were resolute in ensuring Nigerians were not shortchanged.
“The Central Bank is doing everything possible to ensure that the new notes permeate and circulate across Nigeria and every part of this country,” he said.
“That is why the Governor directed all the Directors of the CBN to move to the states.”
Mr Nwasinobi advised Nigerians to be calm.
Reporting by Fubara Pepple; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade, Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor