Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has commended the extension of the deadline for the exchange of old Naira notes with new ones.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had set a January 31 deadline for the of the old notes from circulation but extended it to February 10 with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Naira redesign was aimed at withdrawing illicit or stolen funds being kept in people’s homes into the banking system and promoting a cashless policy.
Reacting to the extension of the deadline, Atiku said: “It is commendable that the CBN finally listened to the patriotic voices for a slight extension of the January 31 deadline for the exchange of old Naira notes to minimise its adverse effects on the most vulnerable of our people.
“I suggest that the CBN should encourage the banks to step up their mobile banking activities to ensure that Nigerians in remote areas and the unbanked benefit from this extension. It is my hope that Nigerians will take advantage of this new window to change their old notes to new ones.”
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A spokesperson for the Atiku/Okowa campaign organization, Kola Ologbondiyan had earlier said that Nigerians should thank Atiku as he was the reason the deadline was extended.
Atiku had joined many other Nigerians including the senate to call for an extension of the CBN’s deadline.
