Bayelsa Govt Debunks Allegations by CSOs Over Naira Redesign, Demands Apology

Report by Jide Dominic, Yenagoa – Following the allegations leveled against the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri by a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN) across the country, the state government has not only refuted the allegations but also demanded an unreserved apology from them.

The state Commissioner for Information Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba who stated this in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa further opined that the claims by the CSOs are not only unfounded and baseless but also an attempt to drag the name of Gov. Douye Diri in the mud.

The statement dismissed the allegations by one of the members of the CSOs, Gabriel Oyemena that Gov. Diri was among a group of 10 governors ( G10) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the naira redesign policy of CBN.

Hon. Duba also debunked the claims by the CSOs that the 10 governors did not respect the office of Mr. President and planning to make the country ungovernable for him if the policy is not reversed, stressing that Gov. Diri is not opposed to the naira redesign policy of CBN by the Federal government but was only reacting to the sufferings being experienced by Nigerians as a result of the naira redesign.

Hon. Duba quoted the governor as saying that “We have to reset the country. The way the country is going is not about religion or ethnicity. It is about a few people that have taken the wealth of the country to themselves”.

“While we are not in support of the common man suffering as a result of the sudden CBN policy, that policy will change not only our currency but also our attitudes towards everything as leaders”.

The state government further challenged the CSOs to provide a valid proof if thier motives were not ‘ a hatchet job that misfiired, adding that they ought not to have included Gov Diri in thier claims as the governor is a PDP member among the APC members that are purportedly against the decision taken by the ruling party.

He reiterated that Gov. Diri has always been promoting the peace and unity of the country, emphasizing that the governor does not engage in any activity that would undermine his party and the corporate existence of Nigeria.