Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has faced criticism for a video showing him throwing naira notes at his supporters from a moving vehicle. The act has been denounced as unacceptable, wrong, and dehumanizing, with critics accusing Bago of exploiting the economic difficulties in the state and the country to abuse the sensibilities of the people.
The video has sparked outrage, with citizens, civil society, opposition political parties, and clerics expressing their disapproval. At least four people have reportedly sustained fractures and other injuries during Bago’s “naira rain” at various times across the state.
The act has been deemed a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which prohibits the use of the naira in such a manner. Section 21(3) of the CBN Act states that spraying, dancing, or marching on the naira during social occasions or otherwise is an abuse and defacing of the currency and punishable under the law.
Critics have urged Bago to show maturity and learn the rudiments of governance and decorum, warning that his actions could encourage potential beggars in the state. The Niger North Zonal chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also condemned Bago’s public spray of money, blaming his special advisers for not adequately performing their responsibilities.
A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alh. Umar Danladi Abdulhamid, has observed that Bago has violated the nation’s constitution, urging him to find better ways to share public funds in a more mature manner.
Citizens have expressed their disappointment, stating that the Governor has failed to carry them along in projects embarked upon by his administration, and that his act of throwing naira notes on residents, especially the youths, is dehumanizing and unacceptable.
Despite reaching out to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor for a reaction, no response has been received as of the time of writing this report.
