The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to go after political leaders as well as the saboteurs moping up new naira notes meant for distribution to the citizens.
The party gave the advice in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Sunday in Abuja.
Ologunagba also advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.
He also advised the CBN to dedicated Mobile Banks and Special Cash Points in areas of needs.
Ologunagba decried the pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new Naira Notes.
This, according to Ologunagba, was occasioned by political leaders who were compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the Feb. 25 Presidential election.
He said that Nigerians recalled the widely-applauded patriotic intervention by PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline.
He said the accomplishment did not only demonstrated Abubakar’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.
Ologunagba said that the PDP was however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to alleged sabotage of APC leaders, who he said were accused of masterminding the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.
“The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.
“Our Party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.
“The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians.
“The PDP demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.
“Among other measures, the CBN should immediately provide dedicated Mobile Banks and Special Cash Points in areas of need particularly in the markets and rural areas of our country.
“Using such facilities to dispense low amounts in markets and rural areas will drastically reduce the pain and anguish being experienced by Nigerians at this time.”
Ologunagba expressed optimism that the pains of Nigerians would be a thing of the past when the PDP Presidential Candidate, Abubakar assumes office as President come May 29, 2023.