Police arrest Atiku surrogate in Rivers with $500,000 amid naira shortage
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police have arrested Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives and campaigner for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, with $500,000 in Port Harcourt.
Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, was arrested on Friday during a stop and search operation on Aba Road, as confirmed by Rivers Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko.
“A statement on it will be released soon,” she said, per reporting by The Nation.
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Atiku accuses Tinubu of mopping up new naira notes to buy votes
Atiku has previously accused All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu of economic sabotage by mopping up the new naira notes to buy votes before and on Election Day.
He, however, expressed optimism the anguish inflicted on Nigerians by the APC administration will be removed if he becomes President on 29 May.
Atiku spoke through PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba who issued a statement in Abuja in which he acknowledged the current cash crunch and other economic difficulties pounding Nigerians.
“The PDP decries the excruciating pain and distress being faced by Nigerians arising from their inability to access the new naira notes occasioned by the reported nefarious activities of corrupt APC leaders who are compromising the system to intercept and hoard the new bank notes for their selfish vote-buying plans ahead of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election,” the statement said.
“Nigerians recall the widely-applauded patriotic intervention by Atiku Abubakar that led to the extension of the initial cash swap deadline; an accomplishment which not only demonstrates Atiku Abubakar’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians but also his experience, capacity and integrity to stand for the people and get the system to work for the public good.
“Our party is however saddened that the cash crunch had persisted due to the sabotage of corrupt APC leaders, including the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who are alleged to have masterminded the intercepting and hoarding of the new notes for their selfish agenda.
“The PDP is therefore disgusted by the hypocrisy being exhibited by the APC presidential candidate, who, despite his alleged role in the cash scarcity, is pointing accusing fingers at others and seeking to exploit the ugly situation to incite unsuspecting Nigerians with the view to disrupting the 2023 general elections.”
Nigerians know the truth
“Tinubu and his apologists in the APC are aware that he has no chance in the election and thus are devising all manner of shenanigans to overheat the polity, derail the electoral process and force an undemocratic situation upon our country,” Ologunagba added.
“Nigerians now know the truth and hold Tinubu and the APC directly responsible for the anguish they have been subjected to in the face of this excruciating cash scarcity; another reason they will deal Tinubu a humiliating blow with their votes at the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
“The PDP calls on President Buhari to protect Nigerians by going after these felonious APC leaders as well as the saboteurs in the system who are reportedly working with the APC Presidential Campaign to mop up cash meant for distribution to our citizens.
“Our Party stands with Nigerians; the artisans, traders, drivers, “keke” and “okada” riders, labourers, food vendors, students and all hard-working citizens at this time of distress.
“The PDP charges the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be mindful of the sufferings being experienced daily by Nigerians and demands that the bank takes urgent measures to arrest the unbearable situation by ensuring adequate protection and effective monitoring of cash distribution process.”
The PDP urged the CBN to immediately provide mobile banks and Special Cash Points in areas of need, particularly in markets and rural areas, to reduce the pain and anguish of Nigerians.