Few days after upholding the illegality of the old Naira bills as announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians that necessary measures are being taken to alleviate the hardships induced by the Naira redesign policy.
Buhari, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the gains of the policy will outweigh its hardship.
This is as the President canvassed support for the foremost presidential candidate in the country and revered national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC in the February 25 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Buhari said he believes Tinubu will build on the success of his administration.
In the message sent home from Addis Ababa, Buhari claimed to have a full grasp of the hardship some policies of government, “which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country” had caused and appealed for further patience as the government takes appropriate measures to ease them.
The statement read in part; “In the campaign message to voters, the President specifically put a call on “our traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to warn their followers and wards alike, to not allow themselves to be used by a few to foment trouble.
“I want to assure you that the government has taken adequate security measures to allow everyone to come out and cast their votes. I am therefore appealing to everyone to give them the necessary support.
“Fellow Nigerians, I want to use this opportunity to once again thank you for electing me to be your President on two occasions.
“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As I mentioned before, Tinubu is a true believer in Nigeria, who loves the people and the development of our country.
“I am calling on all of you to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements.
“Finally, I want to once again assure you that I am fully aware of the current hardship you are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.
“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
The President emphasized that the APC presidential candidate has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the country and the well-being of its people.
