By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—THE proposed introduction of a new N5,000 denomination by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has not been discussed at the National Economic Council, NEC, which has Vice President Namadi Sambo as the Chairman.
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, who kicked against the new currency, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday. He said prior to the announcement, the apex bank boss ought to have presented it before NEC.
NEC, which is the nation’s highest decision-making body on economy, has as members all 36 state governors; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance; Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Deputy Chairman and Minister of National Planning; Professor Sylvester Monye, Special Adviser to the President on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, among others.
Suswam, who led members of Benue State delegation of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on a visit to the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, also kicked against calls for the establishment of state police as being canvassed for by Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.
Other members of the delegation were Senator Barnabas Gemade, former National Chairman of PDP; Emmanuel Agbo, Benue State PDP Chairman; Abba Morro, Minister of Interior; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Minister of State, Trade and Investment; members of the House of Representatives; state legislators, the 23 local government chairmen and secretaries, Jack Tilley-Gyado; Abu King Shuwa, among others.
N5,000 note supporters
It will be recalled that the Economic Management Team, EMT, at the end of its meeting on Tuesday, endorsed the move to introduce the N5,000 note by CBN, just as governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Peter Obi of Anambra State and Aliko Dangote have all thrown their weights behind the new currency.
Suswam said: “Let me tell you that economically, I do not support that. I am not an economist. I do not know what informed that, but quite frankly that means Nigeria naira will be devalued.
Cashless society?
“I don’t know how printing N5,000 will address the economic issues that are confronting us. But like I said, I am not an economist and so, I do not know the nuisances of printing N5,000 note.
“If we are saying we will present a cashless society and in the same vein printing N5,000 note that can make it possible for somebody to carry N10 million naira in his pocket, I am a bit confused about that.
“But I expect that the issue would have been addressed at the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting. We never discussed about it at any point in time and so I am as confused as the man on the street.”
On state police
On state police, the Benue State governor said: “Right from the beginning, I am totally opposed to state police. It is a position I took from day one. Ask any governor, they know I am the only person who has been opposed to state police by giving reasons.
“Are we matured enough to handle state police? No. As governor I would like to have state police, but how would I use it? Before we talk of the usage, I totally support what the President said. The governors know it is a position I have taken from day one before it became a national debate.
“So, I am totally opposed to state police and I owe nobody any apology, because as a governor I would like to have state police and be in control. But how I will use it is a question. A lot of people will misuse.
“It is better for us to do those things that will engender unity in the country rather than bringing things that can make some people look up to themselves and create disunity in the country. So, I am absolutely and totally opposed to state police.”
SOURCE: 6 September 2012.
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