Naira Redesign Policy: Diri demands unreserved apology from CSOs

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has demanded an unreserved apology from a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) over what he alleged as false allegation against him over the redesign Naira note policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The Commissioner of Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Yenagoa.

He noted that the CSOs tagged Senator Douye Diri as one of the members of the 10 governors (G10) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the Naira redesign of the CBN.

According to the statement, the CSOs claimed that the 10 governors were disrespectful of Mr. President and planning to make the country ungovernable for him if the policy was not reversed.

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Hon. Duba declared that Governor Diri was not opposing the Naira re-design policy of the CBN or the Federal Government but opposing the hardship the implementation of the policy has visited on Nigerians.

The Bayelsa government thus challenged the CSOs, if their motive was not a hatchet job that misfired, to show contrary proof.

The Statement reads; “The CSOs through a member, Gabriel Ojemena, alleged at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that Governor Diri was among a group of 10 governors (G10) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“These are not only unfounded and baseless allegations but also a deliberate attempt to smear Governor Diri’s image.

“When he spoke publicly for the first time about the policy a week ago, it was at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna South senatorial campaign launch at Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. His comments in support of it were unflattering and unambiguous.

Governor Diri said at the rally: “We have to reset this country. The way the country is going is not about religion and ethnicity. It is about a few people that have taken the wealth of this country to themselves.

“While we are not in support of the common man suffering as a result of the sudden CBN policy, that policy will change not only our currency but our attitude towards everything as leaders.

“While we plead with the CBN to ensure that our people do not suffer, the other side, those of them who have bullion vans, who are prepared to buy over the presidency, the CBN policy is Holy Ghost fire on them. That is why they are shouting. Why are they shouting as if it affects them more than us?

“All the CBN is saying is that anybody who does not earn money should not have money in bullion vans to go and buy over our voters. That is all the CBN has said and we support that policy. However, make the money available to those who have earned it through their farms, trading and their legitimate business. That is all we are saying.

“If their intention was not borne out of mischief, why include Governor Diri, a PDP governor, among his colleagues of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that are purportedly against a decision taken by their ruling party in government?, it stated.

Hon. Duba says Governor Diri at all times, in his deeds and actions, promotes the peace and unity of Nigeria. He would therefore not engage in any activity that would undermine his party or even the corporate existence of the country.