Prof. Wole Soyinka has chastised Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for the controversial naira swap policy that has resulted in a nationwide shortage of banknotes.
Emefiele had introduced redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes in October 2022, announcing that the old notes would be phased out by January 31, 2023, which was later extended to February 10.
Despite the fact that the policy was designed to prevent vote-buying in the run-up to general elections, the Supreme Court later ruled that the old currency would remain legal tender until December 31, 2023.
In a Monday broadcast of Channels Television’s Roadmap 2023, the Nobel Laureate chastised the CBN governor for the naira swap policy implemented months before the February 25 and March 18 elections.
“Emefiele has committed a crime against humanity, over and beyond even any electoral mago mago (foul play),” Soyinka said.
“He struck at the heart of the subsisting survival principles, minimal needs and entitlements of the ordinary people in the street.”
Speaking on he need for people-focused leadership, he explained that his agitations have always been born of a desire to interact with Nigerians in a state he referred to as civic dignity.
For the reverred playwright, President Muhammadu Buhari allowed Emefiele to let Nigerians suffer.
“Don’t bully me. Don’t take my voice away. Don’t take my economic potential away, my economical entitlements. Don’t throw me on the mercy of sadists like Emefiele,” he said.
“He and his boss, Buhari, because ultimately responsibility rests with him [Buhari] to have allowed this to happen. But he [Emefiele] is the expert. He’s the one who gives the advice, he’s the one who executes the policies.”
Soyinka accused the CBN governor as reducing the country to a state of despondency.
Recounting his own experience, the activist said, “Even a few days ago, when I sent a text to the bank and a cheque came back, they had no cash.
“One of the bankers eventually brought me something from his own stash and explained to me what had been going on, how they would sit and wait for money to come.
“You can’t buy a newspaper. You can’t buy guguru (popcorn) and epa (grounduts), which means that you cannot pay for the plantain; which means that the farmer cannot even pay for transportation of the goods from his farm to the [markets].”