By Babalola Seyi
The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to outlaw the usage of the old N500 and N1000 notes.
Wike emphasized that it was improper and expressed grief at Buhari’s statement.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had moved the N200, N500, and N1,000 swap deadline from January 31 to February 10.
The Federal Government and the CBN were instructed to stop meeting the deadline by the Supreme Court on February 22 while a motion on notice was being decided.
Buhari instructed the central bank to exchange the old N200 notes for the new ones.
Wike asserted that the President’s proclamation was improper notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s decision.
In a media chat, the governor said: “The highest court of the land has made a pronouncement. The Supreme Court has said not to do anything that will affect the use of the old naira note.
“I feel that the President’s declaration is not the proper thing and I am not happy.
“This also tells us how we do not respect or obey the rule of law. At this level, the advisers to the President would have said, ‘This issue is subject to litigation and any step you take will one way or the other affect the Supreme Court’s (stance)’.”
