Mixed reactions have continued to trail the unveiling of the redesigned naira notes.
While some expressed anger that the Federal
Government had abandoned its responsibilities and issues that demand immediate
solutions, such as insecurity, fuel scarcity, increasing unemployment, and food
scarcity, others believe it has a hidden motive for the sudden decision.
A political analyst, Dr Reuben Omachi, also
a former lecturer at the Usman Danfodiio University, Sokoto, said the All
Progressives Congress-led government wants to stay in power beyond 2023 and is,
therefore, making it difficult for the opposition parties to stock enough money
to fight back.
Also speaking in an interview with DAILY
POST on Friday, Dr. Moses Unubi, said the unveiling would take Nigerians back
as it will take locals several months to understand and master the new currency
notes.
According to Mr. Donatus Umoru, a political
science student at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, he said the government
was not interested in good governance, rather finding ways to make people
poorer.
According to him, the rich who have stored
up wealth for themselves, may equally become poor, since all eyes are on those
who make huge deposits of old notes in banks.
Mrs. Susan Adokole felt the currency
redesign would increase inflation, since more money will continue to chase few
foodstuff/goods.
According to her, “even if the country
wants to change currency, it should have given more time for people to either
make deposit or use the money to buy goods and keep.”
She blamed the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led governnent for making life difficult, adding that the federal
government abandoned its primary responsibilities for a decision that would
make Nigerians poorer.