Wike backs Tinubu’s stance on naira scarcity, says it’s plot to scuttle elections

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says those who are in support of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are enemies of the nation. 

Speaking on Saturday at the Rivers PDP campaign rally in the Opobo/Nkoro LGA of the state, Wike said President Muhammadu Buhari was misled into approving the naira redesign policy.

The Rivers governor claimed that the aim of the naira redesign policy is to enrage Nigerians and trigger protests, which will subsequently lead to the disruption of elections.

Wike’s comment comes a day after Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that those behind the current nationwide petrol scarcity and cash crisis want to foist a political crisis on the country.

“Let nobody try to scuttle this election,” Wike said.

“This policy (naira redesign) is targeted at making people angry so that they will demonstrate and riot and then the election will be postponed. Then they will introduce an interim government.”

Wike advised residents to remain calm and avoid protests despite the “provocation” caused by the new naira supply scarcity.

“No matter the provocation, don’t protest. This election will hold. This election is by the PVCs. This election is not an election of cabals; it is an election of Nigerians,” the governor said.

“You said you want to remove the old currency but we have not seen the new ones. Can you buy fuel? Can you buy anything to eat again? Now, tell me, would you vote for anybody who loves Nigeria and is running for election, who supports this CBN policy?

“Those supporting this kind of thing are enemies of Nigeria. I believe that they did not tell President Buhari the correct thing because I and the president are going at the same time — May 29. Nobody will stay one day more than the other.

“So, I know the man will like to finish well and go and I won’t see what is bad and not advise him. Those plotting all these things are those who don’t like him. But I believe he will hear the cries of Nigerians.”