The Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr.
Reuben Abati, disclosed the development to State House correspondents in
Abuja.
Abati told journalists that Jonathan’s latest disposition to the issue
was based on the need for more “enlightenment and consultation”.
He said, “The introduction of the new note is being suspended for now to
enable the CBN do more enlightenment on the issue.Yes, President
Jonathan has directed that the implementation of the new N5,000 note be
suspended for now.
“This is to enable the apex bank to do more in terms of enabling
Nigerians understand why it proposed it in the first place. So, for now,
the full implementation is on hold.”
The
President's earlier approval of the plan by Governor Lamido Sanusi of
the Central Bank of Nigeria to introduce the jumbo note had triggered
criticism, condemnation and even some street protests.The president's aide clarified that the policy was merely being suspended, not abandoned.
According to the aide, the decision to suspend the policy is to enable the administration to adequately inform Nigerians about the rationale behind the decision to introduce the new note.
The two chambers of Nigeria's legislation had passed motions calling on the president to shelve the plan to introduce the N5,000.
In a meeting hastily requested by President he failed to convince both Senate President David Mark and House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal to persuade members of the National Assembly to drop their objection to the policy.
Culled from Nigerian Eye
