Following his recent assertion that the introduction of N5, 000 note as planned by CBN would cause inflation and kill small businesses, the Presidency has described former president, chief Olusegun Obsanjo as an ordinary Nigerian who has the right to comment on issues of national importance, noting that the Federal Government was not wrong in its approval of the denomination.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, “Obasanjo, as an “ordinary” individual had the freedom to speak on issues.”

He said: “Obasanjo is an ordinary citizen. He has the right to speak on issues of national importance, but his views are not sacrosanct. But Obasanjo has right to his own opinion.”

While reproving criticisms by opposition parties that the introduction of the higher denomination would cause inflation noted in an  interaction with experts that  it would not have negative effects on the nation’s economy.

He said, “It is a project of the Central Bank of Nigeria and it is also important to carry people along. From my investigation and discussion with experts, there is no assurance that it will lead to inflation.

“There is $1000 bill in the United States and that has not negatively affected the economy there.

“It is not carried by all Americans, but by those who need it. The N5000 note will also be like that. We should not dissipate energy on that.

“We over-politicise issues in this country. This note will not affect the cashless policy of the government as being speculated in some quarters as well.”

The medical doctor turned politician however, assured that the reports of all the committees and sub-committees set up by the president would soon be made known to the public.

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