There have been unrest in Abuja as more than 300 irate youths gathered to protest the Supreme Court’s exparte decision temporarily blocking the Federal Government’s plan to outlaw the use of the old Naira notes beginning on February 10, 2023.
The demonstrators gave the CBN a vote of confidence by asking them not to back down as they gathered at the CBN’s headquarters and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola, was accused of serving the interests of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, and the G5 governors by the protesters, who were carrying placards that read, “Justice Ariwoola, resist plot to use our Supreme Court undermine to democracy.”
They further requested that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.d) issue an executive order prohibiting the use of the outdated notes.
Obed Agu, the protest’s organizer and coordinator of the Civil Society Central Body, urged Nigerians to refuse the old Naira notes in the national interest.
Using the argument that corrupt politicians requesting an extension want to purchase votes, he urged Buhari to issue an executive order ending the policy deadline.
Agu said, “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to issue an executive order for the policy to terminate the February 10 deadline and prevent further extension. The Supreme Court wants to aid corrupt politicians in buy vote.
“The Supreme Court exparte application has no legal basis. We are rejecting it, because it is a plot to open the bank vaults to enable vote buyers and holders of illicit wealth to have cash to buy votes. We ask the CJN to hurriedly vacate the exparte order in the overall interest of the Nigeria election.
“We have suffered a lot in the hands of the Supreme Court in undermining any effort for credible election. The Supreme Court voided the card reader which aided and increased official election result rigging.
“The Supreme Court declared a man who came 4th in the election as governor of a state and that helped to destroy Imo state and the sanctity of the ballot. We won’t allow the CJN use the apex office to undermine our democracy and President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise of peaceful transition.”
