February 8, 2023

Shettima, Tinubu, Bello, Ramata Aliyu at Kogi rally on Wednesday

February 8, 2023

Tinubu promises revival of Ajaokuta, dredging of River Niger

PRESS RELEASE

In Kogi, Tinubu promises revival of Ajaokuta, dredging of River-Niger

…Says those who wanted to take advantage of naira swap hardship are shamed

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said if elected into office, he will ensure revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State, in addition to other critical projects.

Speaking at the APC campaign rally in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, on Wednesday, Asiwaju Tinubu said his government would prioritize development of mineral resources in the North Central state, in addition to dredging the River Niger which will allow ships to berth in inland ports.

“Hope is here. Ajaokuta resuscitation will be done. Dredging of Niger River will be done. Agriculture will be the source of our prosperity. North Central has the potential for great mineral industrialization, we will work on that, ” he said.

Tinubu also felicitated with the people of Kogi State and other Nigerians over the Supreme Court judgment on the currency swap impasse, saying those who wanted to take advantage of the situation have failed.

The presidential candidate said members of the opposition were counting on the unintended suffering caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy to play to their advantage.

The Supreme Court had in a unanimous judgment on Wednesday halted the February 10 deadline for the validity of the old higher denomination naira notes, pending hearing on the substantive suit filed by Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara State governments. The case is adjourned to February 15.

Tinubu lauded the mammoth crowd for turning up for the event in spite of the challenges, asking them to repeat the same on the day of election.

He said the opposition wanted to take advantage of the people’s hardship.

“They even rejoiced when you cannot sell your products,” he said.

“You will never see hardship in your lives. You will see prosperity, you will see progress,” the APC candidate said to a thunderous amen from the crowd.

“This your determination, I want you to multiply it. On the 25th of February, there will be vote for president, for senators and House of Representatives members, it is in your hands now. But we have come to remind you, whether by Keke NAPEP, or by bicycle or even with your legs, you should go here in the morning. Cast your vote, be vigilant. Do your part, play your own role.”

Tinubu assured the electorate of the best deal when they elect him as president, promising to accomplish important projects that will foster development.

“I guarantee you I know how to do it. I am smarter than their candidate. I am the front runner, the best candidate. I know the road. I am a man who knows how to develop wealth, a man who keeps promises.”

In his remarks, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello recalled that the state had a good showing for the APC during the 2019 poll, saying the performance will be surpassed this time around.

Like Tinubu, Bello also lampooned members of the opposition parties who, he said, were counting on the “unbearable” situation created to reap support at the polls.

“We have seen clearly between light and darkness. Some few elements decided to make life unbearable so that our party will be affected.

“Our leader made his stance clear to the whole country. He showed that he is with the people. Some people decided to make a political capital out of it.”

He described the cashless policy as “a good policy which some people want to turn around to inflict hardship on our people”.

Governor Bello said with the Supreme Court order, “hope has been renewed. Go ahead and use your money, the old and the new Naira.”

The rally was attended by the APC Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Kashim Shettima, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Abubakar Kyari, Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger) and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).

Others were the APC National Women Leader, Dr Betta Edu; Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council, Hon James Faleke; former Bauchi State Governor MA Abubakar, among others.

Tinubu Media Office
Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
February 8, 2023

February 8, 2023

Tinubu hails Nigerian Governors over Supreme Court ruling on Naira swap

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Naira swap

Tinubu hails Nigerian Governors over Supreme Court ruling on CBN Naira Swap policy

All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank new Naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to pains.

According to Asiwaju Tinubu, the Governors especially the APC Governors who instituted the suit against the CBN and Federal Government at the Supreme Court acted well on behalf of the hapless Nigerians who have been made to bear the brunt of Naira redesign policy that has been poorly implemented

The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a law suit brought before it by the governments of Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna States gave an interim injunction against the CBN and Federal Government, allowing the old N200, N500 and N1000 to remain legal tender beyond February 10 deadline until the case is fully disposed.

Following the apex court ruling, Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the governors have saved the country from a needless political and economic crises and miseries which have clearly become the unintended consequences of the monetary policy of the apex bank.

Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the Supreme Court ruling coincided with the advisory of the International Monetary Fund urging for the extension of the deadline for the swap of the old naira notes, going by the problems being experienced across the country in getting the new notes.

“I want to salute the courage of our Governors and most especially the Progressives Governors in APC who acted to save our country from avoidable and dangerous political crises and social unrest which the Central Bank policy on new Naira notes has brought on our country.

“Our country was dangerously careering toward anarchy and political and economic shutdown. But with the Supreme Court interim ruling our country has been pulled back from the precipice. We thank our Supreme Court Justices for ruling wisely on the side of the people who have been subjected to undue agony and pains since this policy was announced.

“The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders can now sit down and work out better framework on how to proceed with the new policy without causing any social and economic disruption and inconvenience to our people. We have examples of other countries that have successfully and seamlessly changed their currencies to learn from.

“Those countries give a long time, at least 12 months to effect the currency change. They do not engage in CBN-like Fire Brigade approach.

“We have seen how a good policy can be poorly implemented to cause unintended problems for the people who should be the beneficiaries. While lessons have been learnt, we must now move on as a country and people with a Renewed Hope for a better tomorrow.

“The sole aim of my running to be the president of our country is to make life better and more abundant for our people and this is an ideal for which I will remain eternally committed to.”

Asiwaju Tinubu called on the CBN to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling is effectively executed by taking all necessary steps to (i) ensure sufficient availability of Naira notes (whether old or new) and (ii) properly sensitising the public on the ruling and the consequent validity of old Naira.

Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
February 8, 2023

February 8, 2023

Supreme Court halts CBN, Buhari over currency swap deadline

Naira swap, Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily stopped the withdrawal of old Naira Notes from Feb.

A seven-member panel led by Justice John Okoro, halted the move in a ruling in an exparte application brought by three northern states of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara.

The three states had specifically applied for an order of Interim Injunction restraining “the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on Feb. 10, the time frame with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denomination of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.

Delivering ruling in the motion, Okoro, held that after a careful consideration of the motion ex parte this application is granted as prayed.

“An order of Interim Injunction restraining the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on Feb. 10,, the time frame with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denomination of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.

He accordingly adjourned until Feb. 15, for hearing of the main suit.

Moving the application on Wednesday, counsel to the applicants, Mr A. I. Mustapha, SAN, urged the apex court to grant the application in the interest of justice and the well-being of Nigeria.

He stated that the policy of the government has led to an “excruciating situation that is almost leading to anarchy in the land “.

While he referred to a Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) statistics which put the number of people who don’t have bank accounts at over 60 percent, Mustapha lamented that the few Nigerians with bank accounts can’t even access their monies from the bank as a result of the policy.

The senior lawyer further argued that unless the Supreme Court intervenes the situation will lead to anarchy because most banks are already closing operations.

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Day: February 8, 2023

Tinubu promises revival of Ajaokuta, dredging of River Niger

Tinubu hails Nigerian Governors over Supreme Court ruling on Naira swap

Supreme Court halts CBN, Buhari over currency swap deadline