With Nigerians going through excruciating pains to have access to their savings in the bank, the Council of State met today, endorsing the CBN Naira redesign policy but urged the apex bank to make available more of the newly designed currency.

President Buhari had convened the Council of State meeting to seek the elder statesmen advise on the raging issue of currency swap but the Council could not fault the CBN policy while asking the CBN to ease sufferings by making the new currency available.

The meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari lasted for over four hours at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja and was attended by former heads of state and the president. Those in attendance included Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and Goodluck Jonathan, while former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, joined the meeting online. Two former Chief Justice of the Federation, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammad also attended the meeting. The meeting was attended virtually by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Membership of the Council includes the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, former presidents, former heads of state, former chief justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, governors of the 36 states of the federation and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Those who joined the meeting online are Sokoto governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Aminu Tambuwal, Kebbi State Governor and chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu, Plateau governor and chairman Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, Ebonyi Governor David Umahi, Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, Jigawa Governor Abubakar Badaru, and Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Others are Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa, Emmanuel Akabe, and Enugu Deputy Governor.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governors of Taraba, Darius Ishaku , Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, (AGF) Abubakar Malami,(SAN) said generally the policy was accepted by members but raised concerns about the implementations.

Gov. Ishaku said: “the CBN was advised to make money available in quantum. The old money can also be recirculated to ease the suffering of the poorest of the poor”.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu, on his part said;” that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, and Inspector General of Police (IGP), briefed the council on the state of preparedness for the 2023 general elections, and assured that they were fully prepared.

Mr.Malami (SAN) said; “We are on course as far as election preparedness is concerned.”