Naira Scarcity Reduced Vote-Buying – Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday said the scarcity of naira notes reduced the incidence of vote-buying. The President, after voting in Daura, Katsina State, urged Nigerians to collect money offered to them by vote-buyers but vote their conscience.

The naira scarcity had led to crisis nationwide, in which case many Nigerians lamented their inability to buy necessities or move around. The Central Bank of Nigeria had come under heavy criticism for the policy, which many described as ill-timed and poorly implemented.

Buhari told journalists after voting at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, in Katsina, “I am aware that the money is not there like before for people to sway voters, like they used to do. And if they bring out money, the people should pocket it and still vote their conscience.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. The statement was titled ‘Nigerians know we mean what we say, they will vote for us again, says President Buhari.’

The President was quoted as saying his regime had “diminished” the practice of vote-buying. He boasted that the All Progressives Congress would emerge victorious in the governorship and state Assembly elections nationwide.

The President said he was not surprised with the results of the presidential election, which saw Bola Tinubu emerge as the President-elect. He said APC’s campaigns were thorough and detailed.

He explained that the APC chose a party chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, who had served as a two-term governor in Nasarawa State and legislator in the Senate, with an experience that would help the party.

Buhari added, “We told Nigerians that we will work for them, and we have done our best in education and health facilities, and Nigerians appreciate our efforts.”

The President also lauded the media for playing a major role in enlightening the people on their rights and providing a platform for voters to challenge leaders on promises and records.