President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to remain patient amid the ongoing naira crisis.
He promised that his administration would take appropriate action to mitigate the hardships occasioned by the controversial naira swap policy.
In a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari made the plea on Sunday in a video recording to shore up support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
The President further thanked Nigerians for electing him to be President for two terms, and urged them to vote for the APC standard bearer, describing his desired successor as “reliable” and sure to “build on our achievements.”
He said:
“I want to once again assure you that I am fully aware of the current hardship you are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.
“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
See the full statement below:
“STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
“IN A VIDEO TO SWAY VOTERS FOR TINUBU, PRESIDENT BUHARI VOWS END TO CURRENT HARDSHIP
“President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday sent a message home from Addis Ababa, saying he is fully aware of hardship some policies of government, ‘which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country’ had caused and appealed for further patience as the government takes appropriate measures to ease them.
“In a video recording to shore up support for Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the upcoming elections a few days ahead, the President thanked Nigerians for electing him to be President for two terms, and urged them to vote for the APC flag bearer because ‘he is reliable and I know he will build on our achievements.’
“In the campaign message to voters, the President specifically put a call on “our traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to warn their followers and wards alike, to not allow themselves to be used by a few to foment trouble.
“I want to assure you that the Government has taken adequate security measures to allow everyone to come out and cast their votes. I am therefore appealing to everyone to give them the necessary support.
“Fellow Nigerians, I want to use this opportunity to once again thank you for electing me to be your President on two occasions.
“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As I mentioned before, Tinubu is a true believer in Nigeria, who loves the people and the development of our country.
“I am calling on all of you to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements.
“Finally, I want to once again assure you that I am fully aware of the current hardship you are facing as a result of some policies of the government which are meant to bring overall improvement to the country.
“I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“The President emphasized that the APC presidential candidate has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the country and the well-being of its people.
“Garba Shehu
“Senior Special Assistant to the President
“(Media & Publicity)
“February 19, 2023.”
Meanwhile, the policy described by some as hasty was designed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to limit cash hoarding and vote-buying ahead of the general elections but has since given rise to naira scarcity and violent protests across the country.
