APC presidential standard-bearer Bola Tinubu has called on governors nationwide to disregard President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that N500 and N1,000 notes are illegal tenders. 

Mr Buhari announced in a state address on February 16 that the old N1,000 and N500 notes were no longer legal tender and that his regime would only reissue the old N200 note, initially outlawed, until April 10. 

This announcement was met with widespread opposition from governors, including Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who stated defying the Supreme Court’s ruling to maintain the status quo was an invitation to anarchy.

In a circular shared on Friday by an APC presidential campaign spokesperson Dele Alake, the former Lagos governor urged “friendly governors” to follow suit with Mr El-Rufai’s and other governors’ actions disregarding Mr Buhari’s order in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling. 

The circular added the apex court must have the final say as globally practised in a constitutional federation. 

“All friendly governors must replicate Kaduna address immediately to assure the integrity of the SC (Supreme Court) and (the) rule of law for the local & international community. This is the essence of constitutional federation with the SC having final say and follows USA best practice,” the circular stated. 

Mr El-Rufai on Thursday accused the Buhari regime of plotting to instigate a military coup in Nigeria to avoid transferring power to a civilian administration when his tenure expires in May.