Supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the name Tinubu Mobilisation Squad, have been involved in the exchange of old naira notes for new ones. A video of the group engaging in the exchange has gone viral on social media, with the moderators stating that the initiative is aimed at providing relief for citizens who have been struggling to access new notes.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a shortage of new notes, leading to complaints from politicians who have accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of not printing enough. In response, the CBN has blamed politicians for purchasing new notes in bulk for election purposes.
The actions of the Tinubu support group have surprised many, as they are not one of the approved "super agents" authorized by the CBN to carry out the exchange. This has led to accusations that the politicians involved are behind the hoarding of new notes.
The video shows people speaking in the Yoruba language and playing fuji music in the background. While the location and time of the video are unclear, the moderator states that the programme is proudly sponsored by Tinubu Mobilisation Squad, and encourages viewers to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).
Some observers have criticized the group's actions, questioning where they obtained the new notes from. Some have accused the politicians of hoarding cash from banks, leading to the current shortage, in order to buy votes. They believe that the politicians are now trying to win public sympathy by pretending to care about citizens' struggles with the new notes.
One critic has called on security agencies to arrest the group's members for interrogation, while another has accused Tinubu of attempting to buy his way to the presidency of Nigeria. Tinubu has previously accused President Muhammadu Buhari of attempting to sabotage his electoral victory by creating fuel scarcity and redesigning the naira.
It is worth noting that the Presidential Campaign Council of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has previously accused APC leaders, including its presidential candidate, of hoarding new naira notes to buy votes on election day.
The exchange of old naira notes for new ones by the Tinubu support group has further highlighted the issue of a shortage of new notes in Nigeria. While the CBN has blamed politicians for the shortage, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that citizens have access to new notes.
The actions of the Tinubu support group have also raised questions about the role of politicians in the hoarding of cash, and the impact this has on the economy and the country's democratic processes. It is important that the relevant authorities investigate these allegations thoroughly and take appropriate action.
In addition, the issue of vote-buying remains a serious concern in Nigeria, with politicians accused of using cash and other inducements to influence voters. This undermines the integrity of the electoral process and must be addressed urgently.