Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticized the implementation of the federal government's policy of redesigning the Naira as "very clumsy," "not well thought out," " draconian" and capable of collapsing the system economically.
Sheikh Gumi also said the policy has proved to have no effect on terrorists and kidnappers for whom the Central Bank of Nigeria claimed to have launched the new policy as terrorists already possess the new Naira notes.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Saturday, Sheikh Gumi said the terrorists
mocked Emefiele by displaying the new notes in their recently released video.
“These (terrorists) are people who have grievances and also like to improve their image. The CBN governor mentioned that the reason for changing the notes was to deprive terrorists (of money). They (terrorists) hear him and say, “Here is your money with us”.
"They can catch (kidnap) people and collect new ones (naira notes) and even demand something else like foreign currency.
"So, citing terrorism as the reason for this draconian rule in a democratic nation is negative; it will not bring any good results. It (the display of new notes by the terrorist) is a show of mockery," Gumi said.
He also warned against overburdening the economy to avoid its collapse and probable civil unrest.
“I was one of the people that said it (the CBN initial deadline) was not feasible and I envisaged that it was going to be removed. The government has programs but in executing the programs, it is very clumsy; it’s not well thought out.
"I heard an economist saying that when you have three great events in the same year using the same resources, one has to give way. You cannot over-task your donkey, else, it will collapse.
“An upheaval would have come (if CBN didn’t extend the deadline). Look at how popular Buhari was in Kano and suddenly, people in Kano were turning against him. It is really sad to see that.
"In Sudan, a mere increase in the price of bread caused the fall of the government because the people depend on it. There is despair among people; they will turn against you, so you don’t take people for granted."
Sheikh Gumi explained the difference between Almajiri and terrorists, saying that education could be a potent solution to the problem of Almajiri, banditry, and terrorism.
“First, those in the almajiri system are not involved in criminality, banditry, or Boko Haram because they (pupils) are already under the tutelage of a leader they respect, though they can be engaged in other forms of crime like thuggery.
"So, no child should be left behind in Nigeria. Every government should make sure education is well-taken care of."
The Islamic cleric also suggested that improving the economy, employment opportunities, and security of the country should be the primary focus of any new government in Nigeria.
“The economy is very important. The person (new President) should improve the economy. Once the economy is improved, a lot of these problems will go down naturally.
"Another thing is employment. Job creation is a very important program any government should embrace.
"Security should be improved too. There is a lot of corruption in our security (agencies) which should be flushed out. They know how to bring out the moles. They just need to be proactive,” Sheikh Gumi concluded.
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