Naira crisis: Tinubu denies directing APC govs to disregard Buhari

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has responded to reports that he directed some states governors to ignore President Muhammadu Buhari on issues relating to the circulation of the old  naira notes.

The report followed the broadcast by Buhari on Thursday in which he spoke on the country’s cashless policy. Some APC governors had disagreed with the President for overuling the Supreme Court order on the matter, and the entire cashless policy as being implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Tinubu’s denial came through the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Friday.

He stated, “Our attention has been drawn to a fake viral news published by the Peoples Gazette, claiming Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate has asked APC governors to ignore President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast and enforce the Supreme Court ruling on the recirculation of old Naira notes.

“The publication by the platform is fake.

“Tinubu never issued such an order. Mr Dele Alake, the APC-PCC Adviser on Media and Communications never issued such advisory on behalf of Asiwaju Tinubu.

“The message quoted by Peoples Gazette was being randomly shared on WhatsApp. Mr Alake was not the author.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has been known, since the currency swap crisis started, to call for calm as the authorities try to find out a solution to the currency crisis. He has offered a six-point suggestion to lessen the anguish our people are facing in trying to get money from the banks.

“He has also held several meetings with President Buhari, his leader over the matter.

“It is thus inconceivable and unthinkable that he would instruct APC governors to disregard President Muhammadu Buhari’s order on the currency matter.

“Governors who have so far declared this line of action said clearly that they were acting on the ruling of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land.

“Asiwaju has had no influence in this decision.

“Journalists, unless acting on the dictates of political opponents or prosecuting some agenda, should endeavour to confirm authorship of their materials from the Media and Publicity Directorate of the campaign. They can also seek confirmation from the Tinubu Media Office or Mr. Alake .

“The Gazette should recant the story with immediate effect.”