Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), in conjunction with the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOS), yesterday said the attacks on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the new cash withdrawal limit and redesign of Naira notes are needless.
The group declared that the policy implementation was long overdue as CBN is eight years behind schedule, describing those leading in criticism of the new policy as insincere politicians who had planned to buy votes during the 2023 elections.
Addressing journalists at a press conference organised by both organisations in Abuja, the National Convener, CNCSO, Willy Ezeugwu, clarified that the CBN policy is only limiting cash withdrawals, not digital transactions, stressing that the corrupt political elites want to use the poor people as a reason for their agitation to keep Nigeria backward economically.
Ezeugwu further faulted the suspension order issued to CBN querying the rationale behind the suspension of a policy that has not taken effect.
According to the Convener, inviting the CBN governor for an explanation would have been the most appropriate step, not to order a suspension of a policy that is yet to take effect.
The House of Reps also demanded that Emefiele appears before the lower chamber of the National Assembly to explain to the House the impact and significance of the new policy. To show that the lawmakers did not mean well, why call for a suspension of a policy that has not taken effect? The new withdrawal policy takes effect in February 2023. Inviting the CBN governor for an explanation would have been the most appropriate step, not to order a suspension of a policy that is yet to take effect, he stated.
The groups called on all anti-graft agencies and other security agencies to monitor Bureau-De-Change operators and place all politicians, political office holders and top civil servants on perpetual surveillance, to ensure that Nigerians reap the gains of a cashless economy soonest.
The House of Representatives and the Senate should cooperate with the Central Bank of Nigeria to make a cash-less economy possible in Nigeria as we shall not fail to mobilize Nigerians to resist the current plot to use them against the ordinary people, stated Ezeugwu.
