The Centre for Reform and Advocacy has said that state governors who issue directives contrary to what President Muhammadu Buhari said on the on the use of the old naira notes, have committed treason.
Recall that the president had last Thursday directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the validity of the old N200 notes till April 10.
The president also said existing old N1, 000 and N500 notes will be redeemable at the CBN and designated points for 60 days.
The governor of Kaduna State, Dr Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, countered the president saying all the old naira notes are legal tender in the state.
“All the old and new notes shall remain in use as legal tender in Kaduna State until the Supreme Court of Nigeria decides otherwise. I therefore appeal to all residents of Kaduna State to continue to use the old and new notes side by side without any fear.
“The Kaduna State Government and its agencies shall seal any facility that refuses to accept the old notes as legal tender and prosecute the owners. If need be, we shall take further consequential actions according to the law,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the CSO said in a statement signed by its legal adviser, Mr. Kalu Agu, said, there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that authorises any state governor to counter the president’s stance on the naira policy.
The centre advised governors not to hide under their immunity to commit treason.
“As a CSO, we sincerely align ourselves to the position of Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and others when they asserted that governors of the APC are committing Treason against Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Arising from the above provisions of the laws, can the Central Bank of Nigeria on its own volition call for legal tender redesign and the deadline for the use of old legal tender without the approval of the president?
“The answer with respect is a capital NO! How then will the APC governors be issuing contrary directives on the use of old naira notes when they do not have such powers either donated to them by the 1999 constitution, the Acts of the national assembly or even law from their state’s houses of assembly?
“The contrary directives issued by the APC governors that the old naira notes should continue to be a legal tender in their various states when the president had through the CBN issued a directive in that respect are treasonable.
“The contrary directives from the APC governors are not only unconstitutional, unlawful, and illegal but also highly inciteful, thereby aiding the populace to wage war against the federation.
“The APC governors cannot hide under the immunity clause as enshrined under section 308 of the 1999 constitution to be engaging in treasonable activities against the sovereignty of this nation,” Agu said.
