No Need For Violence – Babajide Sanwo-Olu Reacts To Protest Over Naira Scarcity

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has expressed deep concern over the protests that broke out in some parts of the state on Friday morning over the lingering naira scarcity.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu Reacts To Protests Over Naira Scarcity

The naira scarcity has caused so much hardship and confusion among Nigerians.

It is understood the protests started around the Ojota area of Lagos state and spread to Maryland, Ketu, Mile 12, and some parts of the Ikorodu area of the state.

Some of the protesters were said to have blocked the major roads — a development that led to traffic congestion.

Some protesters were said to have attacked commuters and set bonfires on major roads.

Over the past few days, there have been protests in some parts of the country – Ogun, Edo, Oyo, and Delta states – over the scarcity of the naira notes.

The protests led to the deaths of some persons and the destruction of vehicles, banks, and automated teller machines (ATM).

A statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, quoted Babajide Sanwo-Olu as saying “there is no need for violence as the Supreme Court is looking into this controversial matter and will make its position known on February 22.”

According to the statement, “Lagos State has since joined the legal dispute- all in the interest of our people – in the belief that the highest court in the land has the capacity to adjudicate on the matter.

“The fuel situation is easing following some steps taken by the government.

“The government praises Lagosians for showing understanding, despite the pains that the Federal Government’s measures have brought. Residents should continue to be law-abiding by shunning any form of incitement by mischief makers.

“Mr. Governor is working with his colleagues to ensure that this hardship does not go on.”

Kanyi Daily reported that the Supreme Court, on February 8, temporarily restrained the federal government from banning the use of the old naira notes from February 10, 2023, pending the hearing of the matter on February 15.

The judgement followed a motion ex-parte on behalf of three northern states Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, who on February 3rd filed a suit seeking to halt the implementation of the CBN’s policy.

But on Wednesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing in a suit filed by the three against the Federal Government, which seeks a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) until February 22.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari in a national broadcast on Thursday morning extended the validity of the old N200 notes till April 10, 2023.

“I am addressing you as your democratically elected president to sympathise with you over the hardship being experienced as a result of the naira redesign policy.

“To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023, when the old N200 notes cease to be legal tender.“