ATIKU REQUESTS A “SLIGHT” PROLONGATION, SAYING NIGERIANS ARE UNEASY ABOUT THE NAIRA SWAP.

The deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria for the exchange of the old naira notes for the new ones at the nation’s commercial banks has been slightly extended, according to PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

According to Atiku, the endeavor was not meant to cause the grief that this move has.

The former vice president shared a video on his verified social media accounts on Thursday titled “My viewpoint on the CBN January 31st deadline on the new Naria notes” to discuss the difficulties Nigerians had in achieving the deadline set by the nation’s central bank.

Atiku emphasized that the date is inappropriate and has to be slightly adjusted while praising the monetary conversion strategy as an accepted global norm.

The CBN’s continuing initiative to redesign the naira notes has sparked strong reactions both inside and outside of Nigeria, according to the PDP presidential candidate.

There is nothing new about this activity, especially as the deadline of January 31 approaches.

“A large number of Nigerians have expressed concern about how the policy and the deadline will make their lives difficult out of a sense of moral obligation.

“I’m also aware of the difficulties that farmers and craftsmen in distant areas face when trying to exchange their cash at commercial banks.

Atiku continued, “I am forced to align my position with that of other Nigerians for a small extension of the exchanging of naira notes.”

“The deadline will make Nigerians very uncomfortable. While we continue to raise awareness of the importance of mobile banking policy, it will be generous of the Federal Government and the regulatory body to lessen the burden on the populace.

He continued, “I feel that such terrible experience is not the purpose of the program, hence it is vital for the CBN to consider giving the people more time to exchange their old notes in order to lessen the financial impact on these vulnerable persons.