Two Nigerian media organisations, notably The Nation newspaper and The Cable, have reported that powerful State Governors are not comfortable with the new cash withdrawal policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and are planning to stage a subtle protest at President Buhari’s office.
However, it was Quest Times, Nigeria’s most credible news platform, that first blew the lid on the agitations and discomfort of the governors.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Governors in panic over new Naira, CBN withdrawal limit
On Friday, December 16, 2022, Quest Times reported the development with the headline: GOVERNORS IN PANIC OVER NEW NAIRA, CBN WITHDRAWAL LIMIT.
The first paragraph of our Exclusive piece had read inter alia: “Several days after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the revised cash withdrawal limits on individuals and corporate bodies, the policy is causing serious panic among some governors and top politicians, especially those being watched by the country’s anti-graft agency (EFCC), according to a QUEST TIMES investigation.”
The Nation’s front-page, banner headline of Sunday, December 18, 2022, noticeably apes ours, screaming: Governors reject naira withdrawal limit, offer to meet Buhari.
The 4th paragraph in The Nation newspaper’s story reads as follows: “Consequently, state governors have resolved to send a delegation to the President to direct the CBN to review the policy, according to an investigation by The Nation. The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) met on Thursday in Abuja to deliberate on the matter and take appropriate decision. A source at the session said the governors also resolved to appeal to Buhari to retain the prevailing cash withdrawal limits in the country and extend the January 30th, 2023 deadline for the phasing out of the redesigned Naira notes.”
The above paragraph tallies with that of Quest Times which reads:
“The QUEST TIMES, quoting credible sources in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Presidency, reports that the individuals, particularly governors, have attempted to use the Governors Forum to persuade President Buhari to direct the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to rescind the policy.
“One of the sources at the anti-graft agency who spoke with The QUEST TIMES on condition of anonymity, said the affected governors had raised the matter at the meeting of the Governors Forum on Wednesday, and resolved to see the President over the matter.”
It isn’t the first time that Quest Times, a news platform for young Nigerians that marks its first anniversary this year, has published an Exclusive that has been used by other media organisations, most times without attribution.
The company, which is run by smart, young people, with a Head Office in the nation’s capital city of Abuja, has consistently led with Exclusives on all aspects of the Nigerian life.
A top level management Executive at Quest Times says: “We will continue to lead the digital media space in Nigeria with governance, politics, sports, business and entertainment Exclusives. It’s why we set up shop in the first place. We intend to continue to democratise the online media space for young Nigerians and provide the kind of content that makes a difference in the lives of young people and the general public.
“It’s also precisely why young people should make us their N0. 1 source for the kind of news you can take to the bank. We are young, we are fearless and we are balanced.”
You can read our EXCLUSIVE story on the CBN’s cash withdrawal policy here.
You are most welcome.