Central Bank of Nigeria has been asked to circulate the old notes if it cannot guarantee adequate supply of the newly redesigned 200, 500 and 1000 notes. The council of state meeting in Abuja Friday made the suggestion following the hardship Nigerians have faced because of the scarcity of the new naira notes. The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari with all the States governors in attendance. Also former Head of States and Presidents Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) Goodluck Jonathan were present while former President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined the meeting via zoom. After the meeting Lagos State governor, his Taraba State counterpart Dairus Ishaku and Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami briefed waiting news reporters. “The CBN was advised to make money available in quantum. The old money can also be re-circulated to ease the suffering of the poorest of the poor,” Mr. Ishaku said.
During the meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, spoke of their readiness to conduct a peaceful and fair election on February 25. AGF Malami said: “We are on course as far as election preparedness is concerned.” The hybrid meeting which lasted for over four hours at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, had in attendance former Heads of State and President, Two former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammad, were also in attendance.
