The governors of Lagos, Rivers, and Ogun states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nyesom Wike, and Dapo Abiodun, respectively, have asked residents of their states to align with the Supreme Court’s stand on the deadline for the old naira notes.
This was, however, in contrast with Thursday’s directive by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that the old N1,000 and N500 notes had ceased to be legal tender.
The President said the old N200 would be allowed to circulate side by side with the new N200 note until April 10, 2023.
Earlier, the Supreme Court asked parties in a suit filed by some governors, which sought to nullify the deadline, to maintain the status quo until February 22 when the substantive suit would be heard.
Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had kicked against the President’s directive, describing it as an affront to the apex court.
In a statement on Friday, Sanwo-Olu assured citizens of the Supreme Court’s intention to look into the controversies generated by the new naira scarcity and make its position known on February 22.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement on Friday following protests in some parts of the state earlier in the day.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu believes there is no need for violence as the Supreme Court is looking into this controversial matter and will make its position known on February 22.
“Lagos State has since joined the legal dispute — all in the interest of our people — in the belief that the highest court in the land has the capacity to adjudicate on the matter.”
Also, Wike condemned in strong terms Buhari’s position on the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The governor stated this on Friday according to a statement signed by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, during the campaign flag-off in Ngo town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area.
Wike said, “I believe in a country that respects the rule of law. The president ought to respect the Supreme Court and when you do not respect the Supreme Court, then it is anarchy you are talking about.
“So, we from Rivers State condemn the position of Mr President for not respecting the decision of the Supreme Court. Any policy you have to implement, you have to weigh it because you are put there for the people. If your policy is going to suffer the people, then think twice.”
On his part, Abiodun, threatened to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of banks, stores, and corporations that rejected the old naira notes.
Abiodun gave the directive on Friday in a statement warning commercial banks not to flout the order by the Supreme Court that old notes remained legal tender.
He said, “The Ogun State Government will be revoking the certificate of occupancy of any corporation or store that rejects old naira notes from members of the public in the state in exchange for goods and services.”
