New banknotes: MACBAN laments sufferings, hardships on Nigerians

• Asks Buhari to suspend, allow successor continue policy • Anambra police uncovers plot for violent protest

The Leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the South East, Gidado Siddikki, has lamented the hardship the scarcity of the new banknotes has inflicted on Nigerians, and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the policy forthwith.

Siddikki advised Buhari to allow whoever will succeed him to continue with the process, insisting that the redesigning of naira denominations has caused more harm to its image before the international community.

Siddikki, who spoke to journalists on the development, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State, appealed to Nigerians to bear with Federal Government, contending that the situation will be over in the shortest possible time as promised by the president.

He took a swipe at politicians, alleging that the policy is a plot by some of those working with the president to tarnish his image as he ends his administration.

“The current scarcity of banknotes and petrol, as well as other economic challenges, has placed Nigerians, mostly the poor and vulnerable, to serious pain and agony.

“As I speak to you, Nigerians are putting the blames on Buhari. Similar situation happened in 1984, when he was the military head of state, and there was anger and outrage against him. Now, it has happened again in his administration.”

MEANWHILE, Anambra State Police Command announced it has uncovered a plot by hoodlums to unleash mayhem in the guise of protest against scarcity of new banknotes.

A statement by the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, which was made available to journalist in Awka, the state capital, yesterday, warned mischief-makers to desist from such, as police would ensure optimal deployment of human and operational resources towards guaranteeing safety and security in the state.

Echeng, who made the statement through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, noted that the Command has “uncovered plans by groups of persons to take advantage of the new naira notes scarcity to unleash violence in parts of the state.

“The Command has described the scarcity of new banknotes as not peculiar to Anambra, and noted that Federal Government is doing everything possible to address the situation.”