Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, says he does not have anything against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) naira redesign and cashless policy.

Mr Tinubu said this in a statement on Sunday, adding that he is only concerned about its disruptive implementation and the hardship it brought on Nigerians.

This, he said, was especially because most Nigerians could not access their hard-earned monies and could not meet obligations. The former two-term Lagos governor noted that the past few weeks had been a challenging one for Nigerians, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He added that equally challenged were the poor and vulnerable masses and those whose very survival depended on daily cash transactions.

“They have felt the brunt of the combined problems of scarcity of fuel and new naira notes. We feel the pains of our market women and artisans who have experienced low sales because customers do not have cash to make purchases. We hear the loud cries of farmers in rural areas and hinterlands who have been forced to sell their produce at much lower prices so they don’t lose out completely,” he said.

While the naira scarcity persists, he said he was encouraged about reports that the fuel queues across the country was easing out.

This, he said, followed better supply of fuel to filling stations. 

“For the records, I and my running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and our campaign council do not have anything against the CBN Naira redesign and cashless policy in principle. We are only concerned about its disruptive implementation and the hardship it brought on the generality of Nigerians who currently could not access their hard-earned money and could not meet obligations,” said Mr Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu said he was also concerned about the attendant consequences of the policy on the informal sector where many Nigerians operate.

He added that despite the challenges, “we are a country of resilient, bold and courageous people who don’t succumb to hard times.”

The APC presidential candidate said, “We have always overcome our most difficult times and come out better as a people and a nation. This time will not be different. We will make lemonade out of our current lemons.”

To bring immediate relief to Nigerians, Mr Tinubu urged the CBN to announce that the old and new naira notes, would co-exist as legal tender for the next 12 months.

He said this would immediately remove growing tension in the country, eliminate panic reactions by the populace and allow time to scale up infrastructural gaps around alternative payment options to cash.

“We advise the immediate suspension of associated charges on online transactions and bank transfers and payments via POS until the current crisis is fully resolved,” Mr Tinubu explained. “This cost should be considered a roll-out expense by the CBN to incentivise the envisaged shift to alternative transaction channels for both the financial services consuming public and those in charge of implementing the scale-up programme.”

He said the CBN should also mobilise all money deposit banks, payment platforms to show clear commitment and timelines on expanding their infrastructure and support services.

The APC flag bearer, suggested that fintechs with capabilities into currency swap programme for the next 90 days should be brought in to help decongest banking halls and ATM points where people lined up for hours.

Mr Tinubu said the CBN and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies should form an inter-agency action committee for immediate oversight over the cash supply gaps from the Nigerian Security and Minting Company.

He said the committee should also deal with issues around capabilities and turn around time to meet the needs of the informal sector and unbanked people.

“The CBN, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Ministry of Information, state and local governments. With their relevant organs in both the public and private sectors should commence a major public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign,” Mr Tinubu also advised.

He added that this was critical to further educate and empower Nigerians on the new naira and cashless policy for better understanding and mainstream adoption.

“As leaders, our commitment to our country everyday must be on how to make life better for our people, and we are called upon not to waste the opportunity. Our task now is to restore hope in the country by implementing these steps to energise our people that we can do big things for a better future and shared prosperity,” Mr Tinubu explained.

The presidential candidate added, “We can build upon this citizen-focused policy challenge to offer a template on how governance should work for the people.”

(NAN)