THE Arewa Consultative Forum – ACF, has warned that the continuous disobedience to court judgement regarding the use of the old naira notes could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
The Northern socio-political group faulted President Muhammadu Buhari for disobeying the Supreme Court judgement, ordering the recirculation of the old naira notes till December 31, 2023.
The ACF in a statement , described Buhari’s action as a damage to his credentials as a democrat and a stickler for the rule of law.
Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, said in the statement that the group agreed with the state governors, who sued the Federal Government over the policy.
Aliyu said that the current approach of the Central Bank of Nigeria – CBN, raises concerns about the respect for the civil liberties and rights of Nigerians as it relates to their freedom to use legitimately earned income as they so wish.
“Whatever the CBN or anyone else says about the benefits of the policy, which evidently are many, is of little comfort as soon as the highest court in the country has deemed that it is, or, at least the manner of its implementation, breaches the law,’’ he argued.
“Ten days is long enough time for the government to find its way towards complying with a court order which is central to the achievement of peace, order and good governance in the country. President Buhari is under oath to defend the constitution of Nigeria. As his long term supporters, it will be remiss of us if we fail to warn that the much touted benefits of the Naira redesign can never justify the damage to his credentials as a democrat and a stickler for the rule of law.
“This is quite a part from the real possibility of the crisis morphing into a serious social disorder leading to the possible breakdown of law and order throughout Nigeria. We do not believe nor can we advise him to pay such a heavy price on account of a policy whose immediate goals are not entirely clear to a majority of Nigerians,”