New Naira: States Begins Protest, Economy Bites Nigerian Masses

New Naira: States Begins Protest, Economy Bites Nigerian Masses 

By Abisola Ariwodola,

The economy has begin to bite Masses in Nigeria over the forceful implementation of new naira notes in the country, and citizens have also began to react via protests in various states.

The protests which many are afraid is resembling another EndSars started in Oyo state, moved to Kwara and now at Edo state, leaving properties destroyed, many dead and others injured.

The hard knock of the new naira notes mandated by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, have left many people as well as families frustrated, hungry and angry.

Daily necessities could not be afforded anymore, as business owners demand payment to be made with unavailable new naira notes.

Medical attention cannot also be accessed as there are reported cases of patients dying due to inability of their guardian to pay with new naira in Nigeria.

Most transaction are now done with cash transfer, hindered by network to the detriment of account users, meanwhile only knowledgeable business owners dare to access cash transfer as means of payment.

The CBN was taken before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and it gave an order to stop the forceful going out of circulation of old naira notes, but this order was neglected by Emefiele who directed banks to take only his directives.

The Federal government is not even helping Nigerians in any way as it seem unperturbed about happenings relating to new naira notes.

Many wonder why the CBN Governor is forcing acquiring the new naira notes down throats of Nigerians, despite the inadequacy of the government through the CBN to make adequate new naira notes available to the populace.

Bankers are now at risk of being attacked because of the new naira notes which have become a complicated matter.

Whereas changing old naira notes to new naira notes in saner climes is a gradual process, where individual goes to bank and submits the old notes via Automated Teller Machines ATM, and also receives new notes from same source.

It cdan be recalled that years back, when Nigeria wanted to change some of its old naira notes to new ones, it wasn't forced, it allowed citizens to do transaction with old notes, which was paid into banks, new notes collected and the old notes faded out of existence.

The decision of the Federal Government to phase out the N200, N500 and N1000 old Naira notes as valid legal tenders, has created a wide rift among various states of the federation.

The economy is also affected with lack of petroleum products for vehicles at petrol stations, as owners of fuel stations are selling at increased prices away from the regulated price.

Tempers are rising, people are angry, the government is also watching all, the Supreme Court is not respected, the question is which way Nigeria?

Violent reactions from hungry and angry Nigerians will not be good to behold, hence the government and relevant stakeholders are called upon to stand and fight the cause of the masses before the issue degenerate into unpleasant situation.

We believe the relevant authorities concerned understands that this protests are threat to Security?

Nigerian Masses are at the mercy of CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, and for how long can this go on?