The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, has charged the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to expedite action on efforts to ensure a stable flow of currency circulation to ease economic pains being experienced by the citizens.

As the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Adejuwon observed, “We are horrified by recorded incidences of rallies, burning of institutions, and shooting of furious Nigerians over naira scarcity. The violence accompanying the naira scarcity has tremendous repercussions. These are risky occurrences that raise concerns about the integrity of the elections in 2023.

The traditional leader appealed to Nigerians, including the people of the state, to maintain peace and be law-abiding and promised that the current issue being faced by Nigerians would be addressed in due course in a statement titled “Naira Scarcity: Ekiti Obas sue for peace, task INEC, security agencies on free, fair polls” on Saturday.

The monarch said, “We appeal to the Federal Government to do the needful to prevent our worsening economic situation from further degeneration by making the currency available to Nigerians with immediate effect. Further delay could be dangerous.

“We appeal to Nigerians, particularly Ekiti State residents as they groan under the heavy burden of naira notes scarcity to be cautious.

“We know that this is not the best treatment that they deserve, but we must tread softly to prevent our situation from becoming more complicated and degenerated. Though the pain being inflicted on Nigerians due to naira note scarcity is becoming unbearable and excruciating, resorting to arson, killings, and violent protests won’t be panacea for remedying the situation,” he stated. 

The monarchs also warned Nigerians, especially politicians against bloodshed in the coming general election, advising them to allow the electorate to freely exercise their franchise through one-man-one-vote democratic etho

They pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to be apolitical in the conduct of the coming polls.

According to them, exhibiting fairness and neutrality by these agencies will help in stabilising the country and help in the seamless transition of power to the incoming government at all levels.