Violent protests have erupted in some states of the federation due to a scarcity of old and new Naira notes.
On Wednesday, footage obtained from netizens showed angry protesters wielding clubs, matchetes, and other dangerous weapons in Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Oyo states.
The aggrieved protesters were seen invading banks and destroying other public properties in the aforesaid states.
Palpable tension has continued to rise in various parts of the country over the shortage of cash and fuel, which is affecting daily life and business operations.
The decision of the Federal Government to phase out the N200, N500 and N1000 old Naira notes as valid legal tenders, has created a wide rift among various states of the federation.
Though only three northern states- Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara- initially instituted an action to challenge the new monetary policy that was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, however, when the matter came up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, seven other states applied and were joined as co-plaintiffs in the suit.
The states the apex court allowed to come into the case to challenge FG’s decision, were; Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Sokoto states.
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, Katsina, also persuaded the court to allow it to file legal processes to nullify the new monetary policy.
On the other hand, Edo and Bayelsa state threw their weight behind FG and the CBN.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on Wednesday adjourned the suit filed by Governors to challenge the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Wednesday February 22.
The apex court said it would consolidate all the cases, stressing that all the states would abide by its decision on the matter.
See videos below:
New Naira Notes Scarcity: Protest rocks Ibadan, Oyo State
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 15, 2023
More banks vand@lized, set abl@ze amidst protest over scarcity of new Naira notes in Warri, Delta State
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 15, 2023
BREAKING: Nig Army Disperse Angry Youths who Burnt Down Access Bank In Delta State During Violent Protests Over Naira Scarcity pic.twitter.com/UvUWWXXN6m
— Critics News™️ (@CRITICSNEWS1) February 15, 2023
Exclusive footage from the ongoing protest in Benin
?? pic.twitter.com/Q8nSTkj3sq— I'm Geetee (@Am_Geetee) February 15, 2023
Mob destroys the Access bank building at Udu Express in Delta state as they protest the scarcity of the Naira pic.twitter.com/Sl1ovbZS7y
— GistReel.Com (@GistReel) February 15, 2023
Buhari and Emefiele should have a re- think.
Deadly protest on-going in Benin, there has been another one in Ibadan over the Naira swap.
Central Bank of Nigeria #fearwomen So Tinubu Emefiele Kano Warri pic.twitter.com/KXU0WGVJvb
— Dele Yusuf (@delebabadee) February 15, 2023
BREAKIING: There is an ongoing protest around the first bank roundabout in Alagbaka, Akure, the road has been blocked by the protesters. I advise you to avoid that route if you are in Akure. People are frustrated ? pic.twitter.com/bEy4j1AIeQ
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè AICMC (@YemieFash) February 15, 2023