Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on Saturday said the deadline for the use of old naira notes was unrealistic and causing inconvenience.
“Deadline will cause inconvenience to Nigerians,” Atiku said in a video tweet.
“It will be great for the Federal Government and regulatory bodies to reduce the burden on the public while we can continue to sensitize the public on the importance of mobile banking policies.”
READ ALSO: Nigerian banks extend their workdays to the weekend as the CBN deadline for old naira notes draws near
Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to consider extending the Tuesday January 31 deadline for citizens to deposit old naira notes for new ones.
“It is important for the CBN to consider an extension for the public to replace the old notes, thus reducing the financial consequences for these vulnerable citizens, I believe that the painful experience is not the purpose of the initiative,” said Atiku.
The PDP candidate’s statement was preceded by an affirmative refusal by CBN governor Godwin Emefiele to extend the deadline.
Emefiele last Wednesday said Nigerians have enough time to deposit old notes to collect new ones despite the shortage in the supply of new notes by banks.
“The reason is because we feel that 100 days should be enough for those who have old currency to deposit money in the bank. And we are taking all measures to ensure that all banks are open to accept all old currencies. 100 days, we believe, is more than enough.
READ ALSO: Old Naira Note: CBN insists on Jan 31 deadline, shuns calls for extension
Atiku is not alone in the request for an extension of the CBN deadline. Presidential hopeful Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has said it is insensitive for Nigerians to go through stress related to the exchange of old naira notes weeks before the general election begins on Saturday, February 25.
The Nigerian Senate during its plenary session on Thursday urged the CBN to extend the deadline to July 31, fearing that millions of unbanked citizens and rural Nigerians may be affected if the initial date remains.
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for the same reason told President Muhammadu Buhari to postpone his visit to the state because he was “deeply concerned” about the hardships he was causing the locals.
“There are no banks in most of our rural communities. How will people get the new Naira notes is a big worry. Look at what is happening in our towns, people are going and spending hours in banks,” he said. Ganduje.
Meanwhile, commercial banks in Nigeria have extended their working days to weekends for customers to deposit old naira notes.
READ ALSO: I am not criticizing Buhari for lack of fuel, naira redesign, Tinubu said
First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, and other financial institutions have notified their customers to visit their branches on Saturdays and Sundays to deposit their old Naira notes.
“This is to inform the general public that our branches will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only to accept cash,” said one of the banks in a statement similar to what other financial institutions also sent to their customers.
“All the old notes of the 200, 500 and 1000 series will not be used from January 31.”