Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has sparked controversy after sharing a fake press release on her verified Instagram and Facebook page, purporting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had authorized the recirculation of N,200, N500 and N1,000 old Naira notes.
The fake circular claimed that the apex bank intended to make all old Naira notes legal tender until May 1, 2023. The statement went further to urge media practitioners to spread the information to the public.
In response to this, the CBN has described the earlier statement released by the First Lady as false and unauthorized. In a statement released by Osita Nwanisobi, the Director of Corporate Communications Department, the CBN stated that it had only been directed to reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes, which will be legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023.
This is not the first time that Mrs. Buhari has been at the center of controversy. She has often been vocal about her opinions on the country’s political affairs, including expressing her dissatisfaction with her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Her latest move has once again raised questions about her credibility and motives.
Many have criticized the First Lady for sharing false information that could potentially lead to confusion and economic instability. The circulation of fake news is a growing concern globally, and Nigeria is not immune to the trend. The spread of false information can have serious consequences, including inciting violence, damaging reputations, and destabilizing economies. It is, therefore, important for public figures, particularly those in positions of authority, to be responsible when sharing information on social media.
According to SaharaReporters, the reason for Mrs. Buhari’s action may be connected to her attempt to impress the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. Sources say the First Lady may have been promised compensation to warrant her unprovoked error of sharing false information to favor Tinubu’s emergence in the Saturday polls.
The development has been widely criticized, with many Nigerians calling on the First Lady to take responsibility for her actions and apologize to the public for sharing fake news. Some have also called for her to face legal consequences for her actions. It remains to be seen what further action, if any, will be taken.
