Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has implored to ease the ongoing pains and tension in the country.
He made the call in a statement to commend the judgment of the Supreme Court, today, extending extending the legality of old currency notes till 31 December, 2023.
The Olubadan, in the statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, praised the Supreme Court for standing by the people at this critical moment when living is becoming extremely difficult for ordinary citizens.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had fixed 10 February as the deadline for the validity of the old naira notes of N1,000, N500 and N200 denominations.
Consequent upon these, some of the state governors had approached the court to stop the deadline, and for which the court had given two adjournments.
At the first hearing of the case on 8 February, the court ruled against the 10th February deadline which brought a great deal of relief to the people and eased tension in the land.
The CBN however did not obey the ruling, insisting to uphold the deadline hitherto set.
As a form of palliative, however, the Federal Government later announced the extension of the validity of the old N200 note till the end of April.vv
But, with the Friday judgment making all the redesigned notes valid till the end of the year, Oba Balogun said “it is a great opportunity for the government to bring succour to the people by releasing money to the populace.
“The last couple of weeks were too traumatic for the people and it is hoped that the Supreme Court judgment would be a platform to lean on the government to ease the pains in the land.”
Oba Balogun recalled the twin problems of hike in fuel pump price and cash crunch occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and Naira redesign policy almost simultaneously.
The first class traditional ruler noted that the two policies resulted in excruciating pains for the people.
The Olubadan added: “I felt deep pains seeing people queing up at filling stations and banks at the same time.
“Even when fuel seemed available and the ques reduced, at what price? And when people were ready to buy at whatever price, where was the money?
“All these almost stretched the masses beyond the limit and that is why the Supreme Court judgment was a balm that could sooth the pains.”
The Olubadan disclosed that the judgment by the apex court brought personal relief to him as an individual.
He stressed: “Seeing people in distress without ability to help out makes me weak and unhappy and so, with the judgment, I am elated.
“The Federal Government is advised to as a matter of urgency give effect to the judgment without any delay.”
The Olubadan praised the people for their resilience and perseverance while the trauma lasted.
He also commended them for not allowing the problems to prevent them from performing their civic responsibility by coming out to vote in the Presidential and National Assembly election, held last Saturday.
Oba Balogun urged the people to also demonstrate the same patriotism when the Governorship and State Assembly election would be held next week.
