Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has sympathised with Nigerians who lost their loved
ones in the violent protests over naira scarcity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the former vice-president
said the “crisis” occasioned by the naira redesign policy was “conceived” by
the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We have, in recent days, witnessed upheavals in different
parts of the country in which lives were lost and properties destroyed,” the
statement reads.
“On behalf of my family and presidential campaign
organisation, I express my deepest condolences to the families of all those who
have lost dear ones.
“This crisis may be
coming on the heels of the currency swap, but it is pertinent to remind us that
it is a culmination of the frustrations of Nigerians arising from the
maladministration of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the past 7 years
plus.
“It is easy for political expediency for the APC that has
brought us to this cul de sac to want to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that
the crisis was created by others.
“Truth be told, the crisis that we are witnessing today was
conceived, given birth to and nurtured by the ruling APC. Indeed, it was long
in coming.
“We are all witnesses
to the myriad of problems that Nigerians have had to endure as a result of the
cluelessness of the APC, which came into government with no idea of a policy
direction.
“We are witnesses to the massive erosion of jobs; hunger and
multidimensional poverty; unabated fuel scarcity; deteriorating security that
has created an industry of kidnapping and massacre of defenceless citizens;
free fall of the Naira; ASUU strike which kept students at home for prolonged
periods of time and a general sense of hopelessness.
“The current crisis, the fallout of the policy of the ruling
party’s redesign of the Naira, is only the tipping point. The least the ruling
APC can do is to take responsibility for its own policy and the challenges that
have followed its implementation, even as we collectively work at addressing
those challenges.
“My dear brothers and sisters, I understand your
frustrations, but I urge you to be calm. Do not let your frustrations manifest
into violence.
“Rather, you should
channel that energy into voting out the ruling APC in the elections of 25
February and 11 March. That’s the only way to safeguard our collective efforts
to Recover and Rebuild Nigeria.”
Atiku, on February 2, advised the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) not to extend the February 10 deadline for the exchange of old naira
notes with new ones.
The former vice-president had said any further extension
would destroy the purpose and objective of the policy.
Atiku said anti-democratic elements pretending to be
democrats were ganging up against the CBN because of the policy.
The former VP alleged that these elements have commenced
plans to lobby for a second postponement of the deadline for the change of
currency.
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This man is always contradicting himself. Chaii!!!!!
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