Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun
Ogun Gov Abiodun threatens to revoke CofO of business outlets rejecting old Naira notes
Ogun Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Friday, threatened to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) of any business outlet operating in the state found to be rejecting the old Naira notes.
The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had outlawed the use of the old Naira notes as legal tender, with President Muhammadu Buhari, only last Thursday, approving the reintroduction of the old N200 note to exist alongside the new one till April 10, this year.
However, the President’s directive has been countered by some state governors, including those of Kano, Kaduna who ion statewide broadcast to their residents directed them to continue using the old naira notes.
This is also as state governors of Lagos and Ogun, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dao Abiodun, respectively, have issued statements criminalizing rejection of the old naira notes in their domains. Furthermore, their counterpart in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has condemned the directive of the Federal Government and CBN, though mute on compliance with the order.
The dissenting state governors have cited the position of the Supreme court as reason their counter-directive to residents of their states.
The Supreme Court had on February 8 asked the Federal Government to stay action on the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deadline on use of old notes which expired on February 10.
The Court also at its resumed hearing last Wednesday, February 15, reaffirmed its stance, saying the order subsists.
In a series of tweets released via his verified Twitter handle (@dabiodunMFR), Friday and Saturday, the Ogun Governor, Abiodun, while pleading with residents ‘not to resort to violence,’ over the Naira scarcity, said the ‘State Government will be revoking the certificate of occupancy, CofO of any corporation or store that rejects old Naira notes from members of the public to in exchange for goods and services.’
The governor, further ‘reminded commercial outlets that there is an existing court order by the Supreme Court, the apex court in Nigeria, directing that old notes remain legal tender.’
“While visiting one of the commercial banks in Abeokuta today, I empathised in the plight of the people concerning the inability to get cash at all access points.
“We are quite aware that the issue isn’t isolated, as all bank branches are experiencing shortage of cash.
“However, governors have met with President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN governor on the best approach to ensuring availability of cash to the public, and we assure the good people of Ogun State that plan is ongoing for the effective distribution of new Naira notes.
“I therefore plead with citizens not to resort to violence, as I meet concerned authorities to eradicate civil unrest that could emanate from the cash scarcity.
“Furthermore, the Ogun State Government will be revoking the certificate of occupancy, CofO of any corporation or store that rejects old Naira notes from members of the public in the State in exchange for goods and services.
“Commercial outlets are hereby reminded that there is an existing court order by the Supreme Court, the apex court in Nigeria, directing that old notes remain legal tender,” the tweets read.
