Members of the council of state have expressed support for the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The council however asked Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, to make new naira notes available or recirculate old naira notes to ease the suffering of Nigerians.
The meeting, held on Friday at the presidential villa, was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting at the State House, Abuja on Friday, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state said much as the CBN policy of the naira redesign stays, NCS advised the apex bank to recirculate old notes if it cannot print enough new notes and make them available to ease the economic tension.
Also speaking, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, told newsmen that the policy on Naira redesign policy, stands adding however, that “the council agreed that there is need for aggressive action on the part of the CBN as it relates to the implementation of the policy by way of ensuring adequate provision being made with particular regard to the supply of the Naira in the system.”
He also disclosed that Nigeria is on course as far as 2023 election is concerned, “and we are happy with the level of preparation by INEC and the institutions”.
In attendance are the former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan; Yakubu Gowon, and Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo who attended virtually.
Also present at the chamber is the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Governors in attendance are Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Babagana Zulum (Borno). Other governors that are virtually in attendance are Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and the Deputy Governors Nasarawa and Bauchi States.
The Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele also attended the meeting.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu is also physically in attendance and is expected to brief the council on the preparations ahead of the 2023 elections.
All the Service Chiefs and Heads of security agencies were also physically present.
