‘COVID-23’ ravaging Nigerians due to CBN-induced naira scarcity - Ganduje

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje declared that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) inflicted suffering on Nigerians from what he described as “COVID-23” following the worsening scarcity of naira notes.

Mr Ganduje said while distributing palliatives to residents to cushion the effect of the naira scarcity at the Government House on Monday.

"Today, our citizens are being faced with COVID-23 caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the governor said in reference to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) that ravaged the world for more than two years.

Since the banknotes were unveiled on December 15, Nigerians have struggled to get them from banks and automated teller machines nationwide.

Mr Ganduje, who stressed that Nigerians faced the hardships they did not bargain for, said no one foresaw them.

"We earlier thought it was a simple disease, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a very serious virus. This virus which came from the CBN, has affected all our commercial banks, our POS, our ATMs and all other things associated with this,” he explained.

Mr Ganduje added, “We will not stop blaming the CBN for this economic blunder. We love our people. Therefore anything that will disturb their well-being must be rejected.”

The governor said Kano, the country’s most populous state, is the most affected by the unfortunate development.

He said beneficiaries of the palliatives are from all the 44 local government areas of the state.

Mr Ganduje faulted those supporting the hardship caused by the ill-timed naira redesign, describing it as unfortunate.