News
Naira redesign: ADC presidential candidate knocks Buhari, says nation in final plunge
As reactions continue to trail the planned redesignation of a naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of embarking on ill-time policies that further ground the economy.
Reacting to the announcement to redesign the naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, the ADC presidential candidate noted that the value of the nation’s currency and the economy continue to plunge amid the high rate of inflation.
In a weekly interaction with journalists in Abuja, Mr Kachikwu declared that nothing good has been offered by the Buhari-led administration in the last seven years and may not be so before the end of his tenure, wondering that Mr President was setting the highest records of rendering people poor in the nation’s history.
Kachikwu who believed that the naira redesign would not solve any economic issues, but worsening the economic woes of Nigerians, submitted that the policy would only benefit very few individuals.
According to him, “the idea of storing huge sums” of money at home, which occasioned the naira redesign was fallacy pushed to the highest ebb of thinking of some few individuals to serve their selfish interest.
The politician cum businessman called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an economic summit where experts would have opportunity to offer their opinion.
Kachikwu said: “As if this is not bad enough, the President continue to kill our economy by introduction of ill-time policies that mostly benefits the few. Millions are being driven into poverty bracket and our middle class have been wiped out.
“One United States dollar today is exchanged for N800 and above. Diesel which most businesses and industries depend is sold for N900 a litre; a bag of local rice sells for N50,000 in some parts of Nigeria; a bag of Dangote Cement retail goes for N4,100. Cement is the building block for construction industry and that construction industry is a key driver of any economy.
“One begins to wonder if government is trying to set up a record of the greatest number of poor people within a shortest period of time.
“How do you explain the timing of the design of the naira. We fail to weigh the prons and cons before taking such decision which further weakens the naira. How many Nigerians actually store money in their homes as it is being speculated. So we further destroy the naira because of few Nigerians. Why can’t security agencies up their games and use legal means to recover the money.
“Who says all monies stored at home is ill-gotten wealth. Besides, they are those who don’t trust banks because of extortion through bank charges. Our economy is in tatters, while managers of our economy fight over who got presidential approval as naira continue to plunge, more businesses will collapse.
“We can’t continue to keep quiet while Mr President continue to pauperise us. I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an economic summit. We will all get involved in that conversation. It is meaningless to talk about 2023 general election when the present realities suggest that we might not have a nation by that time.
“We can’t continue to act as if we don’t know that tens of millions of Nigerians are unemployed. They are daily being impoverished; their plights get worse as our economy get worse. Where is the breaking point?
“Inflation begins from your port. This government is killing small businesses. If the government is serious about strengthening the naira he should out how many new export oriented businesses were funded by Nigerian banks in the last one year. We can’t keep on deceiving ourselves.”
Reacting to the national security issues, the presidential candidate expressed concerns over the terror alert issued by some advanced countries, saying that the development has created panic among Nigerians in the last one week.
He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to come address reports alleging that some convicted terrorists were released and exchanged with the remaining captives of Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
“It has been an event for the past one week. The security advisory by some of the Western nations and departure of some diplomats with their families ave created panic across the nation. Even though, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that all is well, one begin to wonder what is really happening.
“The President failed to react to rumours that some convicted terrorists were released to secure freedom of the remaining victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack. Some people accused the President of undermining the effort of our men and women in the field by the release of those who have destroyed our lives. If this is true or not, Nigerians now live in fear of the unknown.
“Our highways are insure as bandits now take on convoys and kill several policemen. If those directly involving in fighting crimes are killed, then who is safe in Buhari’s Nigeria.”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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