The Southern Kaduna People’s Union stated on Friday that Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State, should be probed for his objection to the Federal Government’s order declaring that the old N1000 and N500 notes will no longer be accepted as legal money as of February 17.
President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) had declared that the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes were no longer accepted as lawful tender when addressing the nation. He urged Nigerians to deposit their old N500 and 1000 notes with the CBN, but said that the old N200 note would be legal tender for the following 60 days, or until April 10, 2023.
However, in complete disregard to the President’s directives on the N500, N1000 naira notes to be deposited in the various branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria across the country, El-Rufai mandated residents of the state to continue the use of the old naira notes, pending the determination of the matter which is before the Supreme Court.
The governor gave the directives in a state-wide broadcast on Thursday night.
But the SOKAPU in a statement by its Spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, argued that El-Rufai’s “desperation was not ordinary”, declaring that he (El-Rufai) should be investigated.
According to Binniyat, SOKAPU has been observing the curious ongoing drama between Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and the Federal Government over the new Naira policy.
“The desperation of el-Rufai is not ordinary and we suggest that he should be investigated. However, El-Rufai has gone overboard in his reaction to the response of Buhari to the Supreme Court order.
The statement stated that El-Rufai looked to be heading a gang of APC governors bent on reversing the controversial Naira redesign.
“In his broadcast to the State last night, el-Rufai sounded desperate; he became unduly emotional and abusive and spoke with a lot of braggadocios in the typical manner that has been his public image. He even alleged that there was a plot to stop the 2023 general election and its place an interim government installed.
“He called on Kaduna State citizens to disobey the directives of President Buhari. He insisted that the N500 and N1000 notes are still legal tenders in Kaduna State, contrary to the position of the Federal Government and promised dire consequences on anyone who refused to make transactions with them in Kaduna State.
“It will therefore look like el-Rufai has declared himself a rebel. If this is not treason, then we need another definition of the word.
“If El-Rufai has such goodwill towards the people of Kaduna State why has he not approached the Supreme Court to force the Federal government to wipe out the so-called bandits that have taken over a large portion of Kaduna State creating their own government right under his nose?”
“We are yet to see el-Rufai make a case at the Supreme Court forcing the National Emergency Management Agency to give relief materials to the millions of IDPs in Kaduna State. SOKAPU does not know el-Rufai for charity towards his electorates; we have no records of him on empathy and sympathy to the suffering people of Kaduna State.
“From all accounts, el-Rufai’s most important concern is the flow of raw cash for seamless spendings during elections. But there may be more than meets the eyes. It has been said that there are a few powerful individuals and families that have stashed away billions of stolen Naira which they can’t put in the bank without raising suspicion.
“So, we want to appeal to our members not to be charmed by El-Rufai’s bravado towards the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government as a genuine act of concern to the citizens.
“He cannot hide under the cover of the suffering we are going through as a result of the new Naira policy and wage his war.”
