As Nigerians continue to reel under the pains inflicted on them by the central bank’s new naira policy, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for more patience from the people.
Buhari, who said he is fully aware of the hardship, argued that the policy is meant to improve Nigeria’s economy.
“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” Buhari said in a video recording from Ethiopia where he attended the just-concluded African Union summit.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed this in a statement he signed on Sunday titled ‘In a video to sway voters for Tinubu President Buhari vows end to current hardship.’
Violence has popped up nationwide following the President’s announcement on Thursday that only old N200 notes will remain legal tender until April 10.
All old N500 and N1000 notes, Buhari said, must be returned to deposit banks before February 17, 2023, the adjusted deadline he had approved in Daura, Katsina, on January 30.
Buhari’s announcement came despite a pending Supreme Court order restraining the Federal Government from effecting the deadline.
Speaking on Sunday, the President said, “I want to once again assure you that I am fully aware of the current hardship you are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.
“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
In the video, Buhari also drummed support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying “he is reliable and I know he will build on our achievements.”
The President thanked Nigerians for electing him to the country’s highest office for two terms, and urged them to vote for the APC flag bearer because “he is reliable and I know he will build on our achievements.”
“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As I mentioned before, Tinubu is a true believer in Nigeria, who loves the people and the development of our country.
“I am calling on all of you to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements,” he said.
The President emphasised that the APC presidential candidate has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the country and the well-being of its people.
His message comes barely two days before the grand finale of the APC presidential campaign rally in Lagos on Tuesday which he is expected to attend.
