The Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians on Sunday not to let the outcome of the 2023 presidential election be decided by “bullion vans.” In a newsletter to our correspondent, the former vice‑president and serial presidential contender called on citizens to channel the frustration caused by the scarcity of naira and fuel into voting out the ruling All Progressives Congress.
A few days earlier, Atiku had issued a statement on the federal government’s currency‑conversion policy, aligning himself with calls to extend the January 31 deadline. While praising the Central Bank of Nigeria’s generosity in granting an extension, he stressed that the bank must urgently make the new currency available and accessible to the public to alleviate the hardships and frustrations now evident across the country.
Atiku also commended the apex bank, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for their efforts to curb individuals hoarding the newly designed naira. “It is noteworthy to appreciate the good work being done by the EFCC and the ICPC in busting unscrupulous elements who hide money in secret warehouses,” he said. “Under no circumstance must we allow the outcome of this election to be determined by bullion‑van tendencies. The frustration we all feel can be eased if the CBN continues its role and the EFCC and ICPC ensure that money is not kept out of reach of the public.”
Finally, Atiku called on Nigerians to use their PVCs to transform their frustration into votes that will remove the APC in the forthcoming general election.
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