The Federal Government has blasted some opposition parties for rushing to court for an injunction to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele from extending the February 10 deadline for Naira swap.
It accused the parties of playing a political game with the redesign of the Naira, claiming the “unscrupulous” parties were against any action that could reduce the pains being experienced by Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed took swipes at the affected opposition parties at the 23rd PMB Administration Scorecard series in Abuja.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is mindful of the inconveniences currently being endured by citizens as a result of fuel supply disruptions and the recent redesigning of some Naira notes.
”The government is working assiduously to restore normalcy to these critical enablers of economic activity and to take added measures, where necessary, to alleviate the pains of Nigerians.
“Recall, ladies and gentlemen, that after his meeting with Progressives’ Governors on Friday, President Buhari urged citizens to give him a seven-day window to resolve the currency crunch that has emanated from the implementation of the Naira redesign policy.
“Unfortunately, on Monday (yesterday), some opposition political parties ran to court to obtain an injunction restraining Mr. President and the CBN from extending the Feb. 10 deadline for Nigerians to exchange their old notes for new ones.
“The court action came after a number of opposition parties threatened to boycott the 2023 general elections if the deadline was extended.
“These curious actions by the parties concerned are clear evidence that the opposition has turned this whole issue into a political game, preferring to make Nigerians suffer more on the altar of unconscionable political gamesmanship. Or how else can one explain the fact that these unscrupulous opposition parties do not want any action that could reduce the pains being experienced by Nigerians.
“How else can one explain the fact that they have decided to legally hamstring Mr. President, in particular, from providing any relief for Nigerians suffering from the cash crunch? It is bad politics when you put the
the interest of desperate political parties over and above that of Nigerians, the same Nigerians whose votes you earnestly seek.
“One thing is sure though: the desperate actions will not save these sinking political parties as voters have already seen that they are the real enemies of the people and not President Muhammadu Buhari or the All Progressive Congress (APC).
”And despite the antics of the opposition, rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, that the government is willing and able to take decisive steps to bring succour to Nigerians in the shortest possible time.”
