Reps Minority Caucus applauds CBN’s extension of deadline

The House Minority Caucus has praised the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for listening to Nigerians and extending the deadline for exchanging old naira notes for new ones by 10 days.

The Caucus also praised Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate, for intervening and convincing President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the deadline, describing him as a humane leader.

It further stated that the ten-day extension of the deadline from January 31, 2023, to February 10, 2023, was a good measure that would alleviate the hardship and social and economic distress experienced by many Nigerians who were unable to obtain the new naira notes by the earlier deadline.

This was revealed in a statement signed on Sunday by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

Remember that the apex bank announced an extension of its prior timetable for completing the changeover to new naira notes.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele announced a 10-day extension of the deadline.

According to Emefiele, the new date is now February 10, 2023.

The Minority Caucus, on the other hand, asked the CBN to remain focused and strengthen its enlightenment efforts while putting every mechanism in place to help Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, access the new naira notes.

As a result, it urged Nigerians not to rest but to take full advantage of the ten-day extension to exchange their old naira notes for new ones.

“As lawmakers and representatives of the people, our Caucus commends the CBN for being concerned about the well-being of Nigerians, which is the essence of democratic governance around the world,” the statement said.

“Our Caucus applauds the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, for his intervention in persuading President Muhammadu Buhari and CBN to extend the earlier deadline in the national interest.

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s patriotic participation at this time further exposes him as a compassionate leader who is always concerned and committed towards the wellbeing of Nigerians. He has once again proved his expertise, aptitude, and competence in getting the system to operate in Nigerians’ best interests at a vital juncture.”