The Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Friday said Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s remark on the validity of old naira notes is tantamount to treason.
Recall that shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation, extending the validity of old N200 notes till April 10, Gov el-Rufai directed Kaduna State residents to continue transacting with the old notes.
According to him, Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele and some persons within the presidency were working to undermine the government, make life difficult for Nigerians, and see to it that the forthcoming election is truncated.
Reacting, Baba-Ahmed told Channels TV on Friday that El-Rufai’s comment amounts to treason and wondered why the presidency is silent and how a governor can counter the directive of the President.
He said: “This is to say there are two authorities. Why President Buhari is silent about this is best known to him. Immunity does not mean that the offence has not been committed.
“These are the states that contributed about the largest votes for Buhari – Kano, Kaduna – but these are states in the forefront of fighting Buhari’s government because of currency.
“These are state governments who have not fought over failure to secure Nigerians. Their states have become so insecure.”
Baba-Ahmed queried why the governors didn’t challenge Buhari when the naira fell from N200 to N750.
The Labour Party vice-presidential candidate described El-Rufai’s action as “close to treason,” and added, “lawyers will tell you that better.”
