The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has called on the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to extend the deadline for new naira notes and the old naira notes.
NewsOnline reports that Atiku said a large of unbanked Nigerians who do their businesses will find it difficult to meet up the deadline.
The former vice president in a broadcast on Saturday said while currency redesign of a world standard, the painful experiences Nigerians will go through because of not meeting the deadline is not one of the reasons for the redesign, therefore, the need for extension.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians in rural areas, including farmers and artisans in rural areas, find it hard to access commercial banks in urban areas.
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He added that with a slight extension, Nigerians in rural will find time to deposit their old naira notes in banks.
Atiku added that the January 31st deadline will inflict pains on Nigerians. He called for an extension while all stakeholders continue enlightening of the rural citizens on depositing old naira notes for new naira notes. This he said will reduce financial consequences on Nigerians.
