Currency Deadline Suit: Obaseki Disowns El-Rufai’s Group

• Says not all govs against CBN’s new notes policy

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – As divisions heighten over the Supreme Court’s ruling on the old Naira notes deadline, a crack has appeared in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) with the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki distancing himself and the State government from the position taken by his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and some other governors.

Governor Obaseki said Governor el-Rufai’s remarks did not reflect the Edo State government’s stand on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s currency swap policy and therefore called for “guided utterances and inferences in such critical matters, especially in the heat of the political season.”

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, the governor said; “The Edo State Government distances itself from the comments and moves by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and some other governors against the currency swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We are not a party to the suit instituted by the Governments of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara States against the CBN’s policy and take exemption to the claim by the Kaduna State Governor that the move by the three governments is backed by Nigeria’s 36 State Governments.”

According to Governor Obaseki; “The currency swap policy, which is intricately linked to the cashless policy of the CBN, is aimed at promoting financial inclusion; preventing inducement of voters in elections; tackling corruption and money-laundering and checking ransom payments among other cash-based financial infractions.”

He further said the Edo State Government “acknowledges the difficulties that have arisen from the cash swap policy and empathises with all Nigerians over the challenges faced with accessing the new notes as well as other difficulties in conducting financial transactions in the last few days”.

Governor Obaseki also said; “While this situation is being managed by the concerned authorities and relief being sought by the authorised agencies, it is disingenuous for a suit to be filed by three governments and then inferences are made to the effect that it is the entire state governments in Nigeria that sued the Federal Government and that they all stand against the CBN’s policy.”

The Edo Chief Executive, who maintained that “The Kaduna State Governor does not speak for us in Edo State and we urge for guided utterances and inferences in such critical matters, especially in the heat of the political season”, added; “The Edo State Government reiterates its commitment to the good people of the State and assures that it will continue to work assiduously to protect lives and properties and provide a conducive environment for all to thrive and live life to its fullness”.