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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State government has demanded an unreserved apology from a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Civil Society Organisations Central Coordinating Council over a false allegation against Governor Douye Diri.
The CSOs through its coordinator, Gabriel Ojemena, had alleged at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that Governor Diri was among a group of 10 governors (G-10) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The CSOs also claimed that the 10 governors were disrespectful of Mr President and planning to make the country ungovernable if the policy was not reversed.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr Ayibaina Duba, in a statement, described the allegations as “not only unfounded and baseless allegations but they are also annoying and provocative.”
According to him the allegation is “even more ridiculous and insensitive coming at a time the governor is mourning the passing of his father.”
Duba who stated that the Bayelsa state government was dismayed that the CSOs would rather yield themselves as agent-provocateur to misinform Nigerians, urged them to go and study the papers that some states filed at the Supreme Court on the new notes suit instead of spreading falsehood.
He declared that Diri is not opposed to the Naira redesign policy but only against the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
While recalling Diri’s first and only public statement on the monetary policy, Duba noted that his comments were unambiguous in supporting the policy especially as it is capable of resetting the country but he also pleaded with the CBN to ensure that Nigerians do not suffer.
“The Bayelsa government thus challenges the CSOs, if their motive was not a hatchet job that eventually misfired, to show contrary proof.
“If their intention was not borne out of mischief, why include Governor Diri, a PDP governor, among his colleagues of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that are purportedly against a decision taken by their ruling party in government?
“By his disposition, Governor Diri at all times, in his deeds and actions, promotes the peace and unity of Nigeria. He would therefore not engage in any activity that would undermine his party or even the corporate existence of the country,” he said.
