Naira shortage: Peter Obi finally steps up to advise Nigerians on what to do

Many political experts have predicted that Peter Obi will prevail in the presidential election on February 25. Images: Peter Obi Source: Facebook

Nigerians have been asked to maintain their composure amid the countrywide confusion about the freshly printed naira notes. 

Peter Obi, a candidate for president, urged Nigerians to have patience with the Central Bank of Nigeria on his social media page (CBN) He also urged the CBN to take emergency measures to ensure the proper distribution of the naira in his letter to Nigerians.

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party's nominee for president, has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient while they wait for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to address the shortage of fresh Naira notes.

Africanbase.com.ng was able to see this appeal from the former governor of Anambra state on Sunday, February 5, in a statement posted to his official Twitter account.

Peter Obi stated in the tweet that, despite the fact that there is room for improvement, the currency reform is a process that may cause some discomfort and pain but will have enormous long-term economic and social benefits.

In order for Nigeria and the nation as a whole to benefit from the reforms, he implores Nigerians to be patient with the CBN and the federal government in his tweet.

The plea of Peter Obi to CBN

Obi also urged the CBN to ameliorate people's suffering by releasing the new naira notes so that trade in commodities for everyday Nigerian needs could resume and the economy could be stabilized.

In order to lessen the suffering of my fellow Nigerians, especially the poor and those living distant from banks in the rural areas, he said: "We likewise ask the CBN and the banks to hasten efforts to make the new currency available to small depositors and the unbanked."

Nigerian bank to face sanctions from CBN for mismanaging N4 million in new naira notes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also revealed that a commercial bank in Ogun State misused N4 million of the new notes.

According to the apex bank, such actions undermine attempts to ensure that everyone can access the new naira notes. According to the CBN, it will adequately discipline negligent banks that take part in such illicit activity.