Fakoyejo OlalekanReactions have began to trail the decision of the Supreme Court to adjourn the final judgement on the deadline of the old Naira notes.
Prime Business Africa reported on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, that after hearing arguments from the states and the Federal Government counsels, the Supreme Court delayed its judgement till Friday, 3 March 2023.
Recall that three Northern states; Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states had filed a lawsuit against FG, excluding the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the 10 February 2023, deadline to phase out the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes. 13 other states have joined the three Northern states in the suit.
The suit which began on Wednesday, 8 February 2023, has been adjourned thrice by the Supreme Court, which ruled during last week’s hearing that its decision a week before, which is that the old Naira notes remain legal, still stands.
However, with President Muhammadu Buhari and the central banks making directives that only the N200 notes are legal, there has been confusion regarding the status of the N500 and N1,000 notes.
Expectation was high on Wednesday, as many, including the political class, hoped the Supreme Court will take a stand through its final judgement today, however, that didn’t happen, with the apex court adjourning the matter until after the Presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday, 25 February 2023.
Reactions among Nigerians over Supreme Court decision
Nigerians took to the social media platform, Twitter, to address the Supreme Court decision on Wednesday, as some questioned and supported the adjournment.
In a tweet by a former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, he said the Supreme Court abandoned couples at loggerheads in the middle of the sea, “The Supreme Court left the two fighting couples in the middle of the sea,” he wrote.
The Supreme Court left the two fighting couples in the middle of the sea.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) February 22, 2023
A crypto enthusiast, Kelvin Odanz, wondered why the Supreme Court will adjourn the matter again having said the judgement will be delivered today.
“This supreme court is not serious. So what happens to the old N500 and N1000 note till then? And wasnt the judgement meant to be today 22nd of February? Why did they postpone it again?” Odanz questioned.
This supreme court is not serious. So what happens to the old N500 and N1000 note till then?
And wasnt the judgement meant to be today 22nd of February? Why did they postpone it again? https://t.co/BVse1dEP0A
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) February 22, 2023
UX Designer, Agyoh Philips, stated that the decision of the Supreme Court is supported, even though it’s difficult, just so the election will not be messed up.
“Very confused government. Redesign policy was announced late 2022, even though they must’ve discussed it earlier.
“But the implementation is so bad that everyone doesn’t know what to do. Difficulty yet we are in support of the Supreme court just so bad guys don’t mess the election,” Philip tweeted.
Very confused government
Redesign policy was announced late 2022, even though they must've discussed it earlier. But the implementation is so bad that everyone doesn't know what to do. Difficulty yet we are in support of the Supreme court just so bad guys don't mess the election.— KingsMan👑IV (@AgyohPhilips) February 22, 2023
Another Twitter user, Okogbue Akuezue, echoed Philip’s sentiment regarding the impact it will have on the election, “I thank God for our supreme court justices. They have shamed the enemies of our democracy today by postponing the judgement on the naira change case. A new Nigeria is POssible.
“Nigerians arise and take back our dear country with your PVC this Saturday 25 February 2023,” Akuezue wrote.
I thank God for our supreme court justices. They have shamed the enemies of our democracy today by postponing the judgement on the naira change case. A new Nigeria is POssible.
Nigerians arise and take back our dear country with your PVC this Saturday 25 February 2023.— Okogbue Akuezue (@OAkuezue) February 22, 2023
Specialist Doctor, with the username, @emede_villa, didn’t hide his displeasure over the adjournment, tweeting: “The Supreme Court of Nigeria una do well. Buhari rubbished you, and here you are, massaging his bum bum by your decision! No last hope again for the common man!”
The Supreme Court of Nigeria una do well. Buhari rubbished you, and here you are, massaging his bum bum by your decision! No last hope again for the common man!
— Dr Bio.com (@emede_villa) February 22, 2023
Seeing my tweet on a blog, lol, I feel good about it