Just In : Atiku makes U-turn, follows Tinubu’s stand on new naira note
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday made a U-turn by adopting the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC)flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in calling for the extension of the Tuesday deadline for the expiration of the old naira notes.
Atiku, who had earlier mocked and dismissed Tinubu’s advice, released a video yesterday to plead with the CBN for a rethink on the timeline.
He said the deadline for the exchange of old notes with new ones was unrealistic.
He said: “Many Nigerians, especially farmers, artisans and those in the rural areas do not have bank accounts, so the time frame for the change of old notes to new one is not achievable.
“On this note, I am compelled to align with the upsurge of demands for a slight extension of the monetary conversion policy.
“The January 31 deadline is certainly going to cause a heavy discomfort on our people and it will be magnanimous on the part of the government and the regulatory agency to ease the burden on the people for the public interest.”
Responding to the Atiku statement, however, an APC leader said the PDP presidential candidate has demonstrated that he lacks capacity, courage and what it takes to be a leader.
“He is selfish and incapable of formulating policies that will improve the lots of the downtrodden,” said the APC chieftain who craved anonymity.
He added: “Having criticised Tinubu and tried to pit him against Buhari, he now sees wisdom in the comment of the APC leader and has unashamedly called for extension of the deadline.
“Nigerians cannot be deceived. They now know that he is shallow and hollow.”
