Naira redesign: Atiku calls for ‘slight’ extension of deadline to avert ‘heavy discomfort’


Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the validity of old naira notes.


There has been increased tension in the country as Nigerians scramble to meet up with the deadline amid poor circulation of the redesigned N200, N500 and N1,000 series.


This has led to several calls for the extension of the January 31 deadline — but the CBN has insisted that it will not shift ground.


In a broadcast on Saturday, Atiku said a lot of people, particularly those in remote areas, will be unable to meet the deadline.


He asked for “a slight extension”, adding that it will be magnanimous of the government to ease the burden on Nigerians.


“The ongoing policy of the CBN to redesign the naira has generated wide reactions across the country and beyond,” he said.


“This exercise is a worldwide practice and therefore, not new. Especially as the January 31st deadline draws closer, a great number of Nigerians, out of good conscience, have expressed apprehension about how the deadline will make life more difficult for a large number of Nigerians.”