Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has implored the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to emblazon the image of former president Olusegun Obasanjo on the proposed new naira notes.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, the former vice-president said Obasanjo’s impeccable track record in ensuring that peace returns to war-ravaged countries should earn him a spot on the redesigned legal tenders.
The CBN had said it would roll out a new series of naira notes by December 15.
Abubakar also said Obasanjo deserves to win a Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership excellence.
The presidential hopeful said this on the back of Obasanjo’s role in ensuring Ethiopia and the country’s northern Tigray region reached an agreement to end their two-year conflict.
“I celebrate the extraordinary prowess of His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in bringing peace to Ethiopia. I am not surprised. I know my boss. He did the same thing in Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe during our time in office,” he said.
“If for nothing else, he is most deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, and I will nominate him when entries are open for nominations.”
Atiku said Africa is blessed to have a “statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials” as Obasanjo.
“A man whose image ought to be in the redesigned Naira note to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their nation and continent,” he said.
“On behalf of my family, I congratulate you, President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, for successfully ending the Ethiopia-Tigray conflict. And I thank God for the gift of wisdom and foresight He gave you, which you have used creditably to steer Nigeria and Africa on the right path.”