Admin l Tuesday, February 7, 2023
ABUJA, Nigeria – A total of 14 political parties out of the 18 taking part in the February 25, and March 11, 2023 general election have threatened to boycott the election if the Federal Government yields to pressure to further extend deadline for the Naira swap.
The Central Bank had extended the initial deadline for the Naira swap from January 31, to February 10 and with a seven day grace, up to 17th of February, 2023.
The political parties made their position known at a joint world press conference by Forum of Chairmen of Nigerian Political Parties and Forum of Candidates for the 2023 General Election.
Speaking for the group, National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze said “We hereby announce our resolution that at least 14 of the 18 political parties in Nigeria will not be interested in the 2023 general election and indeed we shall withdraw all our participation from the electoral process if these currency policies are suspended or cancelled or if the deadline is further shifted.”
The political parties noted that the monetary policies should be implemented fully and without shifting the deadline of 10th February, 2023 date to enable President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his promise to the world that the 2023 general election would be credible, free and fair.”
He said the political parties have intercepted very credible intelligence of a well-financed plot to instigate violent disturbances, incite and provoke civil unrest aimed at undermining the President and causing a shift in the election date or causing his administration to come to an abrupt end.
“We were approached to lend our support, generous promises were made but we believe that Nigeria comes first before any other mundane consideration. These evil plans are targeted at coinciding the disturbances with the 7 day grace Mr. President asked Nigerians to grant him to solve the problem of the Naira crunch.”
The political parties passed a resounding vote on the Naira swap policy and commended President Buhari for his rare courage in taking the tough decisions for the good the people.
The group called on bank CEOs to do what is right and not abuse their offices to bring hardship to the people.
“We are warning bank managers, because we have our eyes on them, let what happened before not happen again where CBN delivered the new notes to them and many of them delivered it to the warehouses of some politicians while some began to trade on it following the artificial scarcity which they caused.
“POS operators who are mostly agents of the banks cannot get money from the banks. ATM machines are not working, Bank online applications are not now working yet CBN delivered enough cash to these banks,” they stated.
