Do you live in Jigawa State and you are finding it hard to spend your old Naira notes? The government of the state is issuing an order to residents not to reject old Naira notes.
This order is coming just as many Nigerians find it hard to obtain the new ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 notes. Those currencies are as scare as rain in harmattan.
This scarcity has caused hardship for many Nigerians and businesses. There have also been violent protests in some cities, the Latest being Lagos State.
To ease the situation, President Buhari ordered the Central Bank Governor to allow the old ₦200 notes to circulate till April 10, 2023, when it would cease to be a legal tender.
However, according to the public notice issued by the Jigawa State government, commercial banks, corporate organisations, ministries, agencies, and traders must accept the old notes or face sanctions from the state government.
The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that some individuals and corporate bodies are rejecting the old ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes. The Jigawa State Government is concerned about the conduct of such individuals.
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“Jigawa State Government respects the rights of its people and those rejecting the now-old currencies are enjoined to desist from disobeying the law and causing hardships to the people of Jigawa State.
Tussle Between Executive, Judiciary And State Governments
“Jigawa State Government will not hesitate to use section 287(1) of the Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws to enforce the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the statement added.
Basically, this order is contradictory to the statements of President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday. The President had said that 500 and 1,000 Naira notes ceased to be legal tender since February 10.
The Executive arm of government and the Judiciary appear to be at disagreement over the use of the old Naira.
As a result, the state governments insisting on the use of the old ntoes are relying on the ruling of the Supreme Court on the matter.
