Honourable Dino Melaye, a former member of Federal
House of Representatives led scores of protesters to the headquarters of
Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN in protest against the proposed introduction of
N5000 note and coinage of N5, N10 and N20 notes as recently announced by the apex
bank.
Dino who led the group of protesters under the aegis of
Anti Corruption Network reiterated opposition of Nigerians to the currency
restructuring policy of CBN. He told Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor of CBN who
received the protesters that the introduction of a single N5000 note will
result in inflation and that Nigerians were opposed to it.
Melaye who described the entire proposed currency
restructuring policy as anti people said the CBN Governor must listen to the
opinion of the public on the matter. The lawmaker who described the proposed
N5000 note as Haram also said it is unfortunate that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has
refused to listen to calls by National Assembly that he should suspend the
policy. He vowed to continue to lead protests against the proposed currency
restructuring until the apex bank dropped the idea.
While speaking for CBN, Lemo said it is not true that
the apex bank will use N40 billion to print the new currency as recently
reported in the media. He also said even if the CBN is not introducing the new
notes, it will still spend money to print currency. Lemo also said the CBN will
not do anything that will not be interest of the masses, while arguing that
contrary to popular opinion, the introduction of the new N5000 note will not
lead to higher inflation.
The CBN chief however
promised that the apex bank will listen to the opinion of the people on the
issue. The protest was peaceful as the Police, led by Ade Shinababa, FCT
Commissioner of Police ensured