Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate, has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that the extension of the deadline for the use of old N200 notes demonstrates Buhari’s weakness.
WITHIN NIGERIA previously reported that Buhari approved the continued use of the old 200 naira notes as legal tender until April 10th during a nationwide broadcast on Thursday.
The president stated that the old 200 naira notes will be reissued, while the old N500 and N1000 notes will no longer be legal tender and are all redeemable at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
During a courtesy visit to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Datti said Buhari’s decision demonstrates his weakness.
According to him, Buhari has shifted grounds twice and may do so again when the new deadline expires.
He said:
It is with mixed feelings because when you see a President budge once, however small, those mighty (people) that prevailed on him to budge will see a gleam of hope to press further.
Maybe this President is becoming a weakling, as they would say a lame duck President, and if you cede one inch, you are likely to cede another inch.
So, it is a lot of concern for us for the President to change position literally nine days to the election.
However, we have recognized the fact that currency is a sovereign matter and no state governor, especially those who don’t respect court judgement have any right to interfere with the Federal government in issues about currency.
We pray that the election would go well so that as His Majesty said if election is well done, it can open the space for good governance.