The representative of Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi, has berated the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over the hardship caused by the Federal Government’s redesign of some denominations of the Naira, saying it is heartless.
At a news conference on Saturday in Abuja, he accused Emefiele of playing the script of some persons in Aso Rock.
Adeyemi also alluded to allegations that the currency redesign policy was aimed at truncating the electoral chances of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the 2023 polls.
Senator Adeyemi, who re-echoed Tinubu’s position that the naira redesign would not affect his victory at the election, added: “Nigerians are now dying for lack of cash to meet their daily needs.”
He explained that Nigerians, especially the poor, are now cursing Emefiele over their plight occasioned by the Naira swap policy.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider the seven days grace he had asked for in order to take action immediately to save the situation.
Adeyemi said: “I am in support of the need to change the currency, but I am not in support of the way and manner the whole process is being done.
“Many died because they had no cash to buy drugs, some died because of high blood pressure.
“The big men have cash in their houses.
“President Buhari’s seven-day is too long to effect a change.
“The pain is much.
“Every day is like a year for people to bear.
“I was elected, I was not appointed.
“People are asking us: how will they pay money to get money?
“Artisans are dying on a daily basis.”
According to Adeyemi, President Buhari should listen to the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, who in the last few days has been calling for a review of the time-frame for the Naira swap.
He said: “The President should listen to us and not allow democracy to derail.
“It’s giving room for insinuations that they are doing this against a political party.
“What is the sense in giving out old notes and new notes not being given to you?
“The majority of Nigerians are still poor.
“Do you want people to keep dying?
“How do people survive on a daily basis?
“I am not in support of those who stole money.
“Go after them.
“I am speaking for the poor, the artisans.
“We have reason to believe that they are working against APC and Tinubu.
“People are frustrated.
“Mr. President, thank you for your concern.
“But no woman in the labour room will survive another seven days of labour.
“You have done your best, apart from insecurity that has beclouded your achievement.
“Those that surround you are hypocrites.
“The poor are shouting.
“This is the worst policy anyone can think of.
“Emefiele, Nigerians are cursing you.
“I know what people are going through.”
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