We expect more cash to ease our pains, says Matawalle on CBN directive

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara state, says the compliance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with the supreme court order on the validity of old naira is a victory for Nigerians.

The governor said citizens can now heave a sigh of relief as more cash is expected in circulation as a result of the directive of the CBN.

The apex bank had on Monday asked money deposit banks to dispense and accept old naira notes until December 31, as stipulated by the apex court.

In a statement issued by Zailani Bappa, his special adviser on communications, the Zamfara governor said the suit instituted against the naira redesign policy by some state governments is for the good of the country’s micro-economy and the wellbeing of the average Nigerian.

“Those who accused us of going to court for the sake of the presidential elections, even as Nigerians groaned under the policy implementation, are now proven wrong as we did not relent until we succeeded in achieving our demand to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“This is way after we have won the said presidential election.

“All Nigerians can now sigh a relief on this matter, and we expect more cash to be in circulation to ease our pains, while those who were unable to replace their old naira notes with the scarce new notes will no longer lose their hard-earned money.”

The Zamfara governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for distancing his administration from any attempt to disrespect the verdict of the supreme court on the issue.

The governor said he is expecting all deposit money banks (DMBs) to fully comply with the CBN’s directive.

Prior to the directive of the CBN, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, had said Buhari never told Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, and Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, to defy any court order.