A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has said that the decision to redesign the Naira at this point in the life of the nation will affect the 2023 general election.
Dickson spoke after a vocational motivation session at the Fellowship of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Abuja.
He said on Wednesday that the timing of the policy was not right, advising that the Naira redesign should be left to the next government to avoid any effect on the forthcoming poll.
He also told political actors to avoid inciting comments that can cause confusion or crisis, adding that it was time to support the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for a free and fair poll.
Dickson said: “Before the National Assembly resolution, I had made my personal view known.
“Go to my website or blog, you will see my views on it.
“I am one of those who feel that the policy, no matter how well intended, the timing gives me a problem.
“I feel that it is coming at the twilight of an administration that is almost eight years old.
“And I think a major fundamental policy such as this in my view should be left for the next administration to handle and manage the consequences and fine-tune it.
“That is my personal opinion, which I have publicly expressed on the floor of the Senate, and also on my blog.
“The Executive is going ahead and let’s hope it ends well.
“Let’s hope that the citizens are not confused and get agitated.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t distract us from focusing on the fair and peaceful conduct of a very national election.”
On next month’s election, Dickson said: “I am calling on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be divided across ethnic lines and religious divides.
“Political leaders should bear in mind the primacy of preserving peace, stability and peace in our country, while we sort out our issues and while we disagree.
“Also, political actors should not make themselves disagreeable while disagreeing.
“You can disagree without being disagreeable.
“We should realise that in every word, every action has consequences and repercussions.
“I condemn every uncivil comment or attack on candidates generally.
“No one is justified in doing so, no supporter is justified in doing so, nobody is justified in inciting, in making statements that can create confusion or crises.”
Dickson equally said the time had come to support INEC and security agencies for a free and fair poll.
He said: “Elections are just about a month away.
“Let’s see how we will work and support INEC, support the security services and all the agencies concerned to deliver a free, fair and acceptable general election that will throw up a new class of leaders in our country.”
The President of Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Rotarian Yusuf Alli, who described Dickson as a leadership role model, said he was invited to “share his experience with us, and to tell us his grass-to-grace story.
“We are just laying the foundation to encourage our members not to lose hope.
“People are going through a lot in this country, and we need inspiration, motivation and encouragement.
“And it is leaders like him that can motivate people.”
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