Scarcity Of New Naira Notes May Affect 2023 Elections-Bauchi Residents

Ajiya Ayuba

As the minds of Nigerians are been drawn to the issue of the old and the new naira notes, some electorates in Bauchi State have said that it may really affect the forthcoming general elections if proper measure is not taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Government.

In an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Bauchi some Banks customers who came to withdraw their money said that they just bring the issue of changing the old naira notes of 200,500 and 1000 in order masses to suffer but looking at the condition it may definitely affect general election.

Alhaji Ado Jibrin Birshi who is a customer from the United Bank of Africa (UBA) said he use to withdraw his salary through POS but with the issue of new naira notes, he cannot.

According to him said that ” with this kind of suffering of the new naira notes, I cannot even waste my time to go to polling units to vote any candidate to come 25th, of this month.

He further said that ” I have spent three days coming to withdraw my salary but they are giving me five thousand (5000) instead of withdrawing the whole of my money to buy food and eat with my family, pay school fees for my children and to solve some of the family problems.

Another Bauchi resident Mrs. Laraba Ali Monday a customer of Access Bank said that just because of the issue of New naira notes, some POS operators have not been operating.

Mrs. Monday begged the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal government to take a look at the issue and do something about it, at least to allow the masses to continue to use the old naira notes they have if not will definitely affect the 2023 polls.

She added that ” if this scarcity of the new naira notes continues till the election, some electorates may prefer to stay at home without wasting time going to polling units to vote for the Candidate that their problem is just to build themselves, relatives and their children while masses are suffering.

While Mrs. Rita Abednego Kam who is a customer with the United Bank of Africa (UBA), said that since the morning she comes to withdraw money but the network is the problem just because of the new naira notes policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria; ” I will not allow my children to go out to vote for any Candidate in the forthcoming general election to come this month.”

She added that there are some places where they still don’t collect the old naira notes because of fear that they may not spend it before the due date given by the CBN and the FG.

According to Rita said that ” let the CBN and the FG allow the new naira notes to be used in order for the masses to have free life and movement.

” With this kind of condition, it’s better for everyone to go back to the traditional banks, where our ancestors use to save their money, that when you need the money you will just go to your room and get it easily for a better life.

She added that ” if you really want this new development, send more new naira notes to the commercial Banks.