By Marcus Ikechukwu
The Council of State has expressed its support for the federal government’s naira redesign policy.
The council at the end of its meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari suggested that stakeholders, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and state governors should do all within their powers to ameliorate the situation.
The scarcity of the new naira notes has thrown Nigerians into hardship. The situation has led to protests in some parts of the country.
The meeting had Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and General Yakubu Gowon in attendance physically.
The council also advised Buhari to consider making the old naira notes available in the interim, especially if the CBN, which is the policy implementer cannot readily make the new naira notes available to the citizens.
Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, and Abubakar Malami, the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, spoke on what transpired at the meeting.
Ishaku said the Council of State members made it clear that the policy is accepted and has come to stay but that the resistance of the populace to its introduction was also not misplaced.
According to Ishaku, the Council acknowledged that it was normal that at the beginning of any policy, people show resistance even though it may turn out well.
He said the Council which only plays an advisory role observed that the problem with the policy was that of implementation, considering the fact that the majority of Nigerians are subjected to suffering on account of its scarcity.
Asked what was the major position of the President, who is at the centre of the policy, the Taraba governor said the President directed state governments to go to their respective states to proffer solutions, by way of ensuring that they help to ease the tensions being experienced in the country.
On the level of preparations for the general elections set to kick off February 25th and March 11th respectively. The AGF, Malami said the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave enough assurance that nothing can hinder the Commission from going ahead with the elections.
He said the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba equally gave assurance that his men and officers were ready to support the Commission to see that the polls go hitch-free.
The position of the Federal Government was also corroborated by Governor Sanwo-Olu who said that the policy stands but that the Council agreed that there was a need for aggressive action with regard to the provision of the new currency.
Malami said, “The two major resolutions that were driven arising from the deliberation of are 1; that we are on course as far as election is concerned, and we are happy with the level of preparation by INEC and the institutions.
“Relating to the Naira redesign policy, the policy stands but then the council agreed that there is a need for aggressive action on the part of the CBN as it relates to the implementation of the policy by way of ensuring adequate provision being made with particular regard to the supply of the Naira in the system.”
The meeting had former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, joining online.
Others who joined online are Sokoto governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, Kebbi State Governor and chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu, Plateau governor and chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, Ebonyi, David Umahi, Kogi, Yahaya Bello Osun, Ademola Adeleke, Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, and Ogun, Dapo Abiodun.
Others are Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu, Deputy governor of Nasarawa, Emmanuel Akabe, and Enugu Deputy governor.
The National Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian government whose functions include advising the executive on policy making.
