Afrigather With only a week to the Ondo State governorship election, residents are feeling the pinch of extreme money shortages in industrial banks throughout the state.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that politicians from the most important political events had been making massive withdrawals from banks and stockpiling money to purchase votes.
Our correspondent learnt that clients who wished to withdraw cash over-the-counter got lower than what they requested due to the unavailability of money in industrial banks throughout the state.
A supply in a brand new era financial institution disclosed that the politicians had been withdrawing hundreds of thousands of naira from banks within the final one week.
They had been alleged to be colluding with financial institution managers to make the withdrawal simple.
The supply stated, “Previously few weeks, there was a excessive stream of money within the state as a result of politicians, notably members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Get together have colluded with financial institution managers to withdraw large quantities of cash day by day. When the politicians ‘settle’ the bankers, they allow them to withdraw as a lot as they need. I can inform you authoritatively that the politicians are withdrawing hundreds of thousands of naira in money from the banks, with the help of the managers.
“That’s the reason we don’t have a lot money to offer clients. When you go to banks now, little money is on the market in all their branches throughout the state. They’re withdrawing cash for his or her logistics within the campaigns and likewise conserving the cash to purchase votes on election day.”
Some financial institution clients, who spoke to our correspondent, stated they’d been discovering it troublesome to withdraw cash throughout the counter.
Whereas blaming politicians, the residents acknowledged that the bankers knowledgeable them that they’d little money accessible of their branches.
A buyer, who recognized himself as Tunde, stated he was upset to achieve one of many industrial banks in Akure on Thursday solely to learn that he couldn’t withdraw greater than N10,000 from the counter.
He added that the bankers suggested him to exit and withdraw from the Level-of-Sale machines exterior.
“I used to be shocked that once I bought to my financial institution on Thursday to withdraw N50,000, the person on the counter informed me that money was not accessible and that they couldn’t give me greater than N2,000 money. I used to be indignant and I requested him the explanation; they informed me they didn’t get a lot money from the CBN (Central Financial institution of Nigeria),” the shopper lamented.
One other financial institution buyer informed Sunday PUNCH that it had been an issue getting money from the banks in Ondo State.
He stated he was given the sum of N10,000 from his financial institution not too long ago when he wished to withdraw N30,000. Later, he was requested to go and use PoS for the remaining.
“I exploit one of many new era banks. I bought there to withdraw N30,000 money to settle some payments however I used to be informed I may solely be given N10,000 as the very best I may withdraw from the counter. I requested the explanation for this, however the one reply I bought was little money was accessible within the department for purchasers,” he added.
A supervisor of one of many branches of a industrial financial institution, who spoke on situation of anonymity, confirmed the event.
He stated little money was left within the banks for purchasers to withdraw after politicians mopped up large quantities of cash from the banks.
The supply stated, “As a matter of reality, even prior to now, the sum of money in circulation could be very low usually, not solely in Ondo State, however there’s a approach we adequately handle the accessible cash given to us. That isn’t identified to the general public. As an illustration, the CBN in Akure has mandated all of the banks in its area that you just can not withdraw (from the CBN) greater than twice inside two weeks, not like earlier than that we’ll go there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to withdraw money. However now, they’re coping with us two instances every week.
“Then, on the withdrawal by politicians, it’s not a lie. It’s actually occurring. It’s not restricted to just one financial institution however nearly all of the industrial banks within the state. There are some places that per week, they mop up near N300m, N200m. You possibly can see that when that one is gone from a department, there isn’t any approach you may serve an odd man who desires to withdraw N50,000, N100,000. It is rather unlucky.”
One other supply alleged that the chieftains of all political events approached banks for money, however the ruling APC and the PDP had been most answerable for the money disaster in Ondo banks.
“They withdraw large sums to maintain for vote-buying on the election day,” he added.
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, denied the allegations, saying the primary opposition celebration didn’t have the cash to purchase votes.
He stated the recognition of its candidate and that of the celebration had been sufficient to win the ballot.
“The PDP doesn’t want to purchase votes to win this election. The antecedents and scorecards of the governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and his deputy can simply see us by way of the election. Due to this fact, the allegation just isn’t true so far as the PDP is worried. Nevertheless, l can not converse for the APC which can be counting on vote-buying to cowl up their poor efficiency in authorities,” he acknowledged.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr Steve Otaloro, additionally denied the allegation, saying it was to tarnish the picture of the celebration and its candidate, Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa.
Otaloro stated, “The declare that the APC chieftains have withdrawn massive sums of money from banks to purchase votes within the upcoming governorship election on November 16 is a determined try and tarnish our celebration’s picture. Our celebration, the APC, is dedicated to conducting free and honest elections, and now we have at all times adhered to the electoral legal guidelines and tips. We imagine within the integrity of the electoral course of and think about the Ondo State citizens to make knowledgeable choices.
“In actual fact, our candidate, Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, has expressed confidence in successful the election primarily based on his excellent efficiency and the celebration’s recognition within the state. We urge the opposition celebration to concentrate on issue-based campaigns fairly than spreading false data.
“We problem anybody to offer concrete proof to help their allegations. Till then, we take into account these allegations as mere fabrications geared toward deceptive the general public. The APC stays dedicated to clear and credible elections, and we are going to proceed to work tirelessly to make sure the individuals of Ondo State obtain the most effective illustration they deserve.”
(Punch)
