Aisha Buhari under fire for sharing fake CBN release on old notes

First Lady Aisha Buhari is currently trending on social media, but for a controversial reason.

Earlier on Tuesday, the president’s wife shared a statement allegedly issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extending the validity of old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes to May 1, 2023.

The alleged release allegedly issued by the Director of Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, stated that the CBN gave the directive on Tuesday, February 21 after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Due to the current and unpleasant situation in Nigeria, in line with Mr. President, after having a closed meeting with him on the 20th of February, 2023, Central Bank of Nigeria has been directed to only reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 70 days up to May 1, 2023.

BREAKING: Militants burn Woman alive in Imo, set houses on fire

IPOB killings can no longer be ignored

“Members of the public should therefore continue to spend the old notes,” the statement read.

Reacting, the CBN in a statement signed by Nwanisobi, dismissed the report .

The statement reads, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some fake and unauthorized messages quoting the CBN as having authorized the Deposit Money Banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 Banknotes. For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, the CBN has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023. Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject.

“Media practitioners are advised to PLEASE verify any information from the correct sources before publication.”

Meanwhile, the first lady is being dragged by Twitter users as a result of her post.

Below are some of such comments:

@Aminaruk: “Aisha Buhari is part of APC frustrated cabals. They should eat their looted funds. Buhari loyalty is to Nigerians and not his wife.”

@Ozoadaz: “Aisha Buhari is spreading fake news against her husband Muhammad Buhari. 😂”

@ayemojubar: “Aisha Buhari has joined APC / Tinubu’s propaganda bandwagon against her husband. Amazing.”

@Letter_to_jack: “Aisha Buhari Dey post fake news?”

@HiikyaaTor: “After working both online, offline to convince Baba,they had to then use Aisha Buhari’s page to spread confusion & fake news!
Where is the CBN? Where is Buhari that a First Lady without office will dish out this information? Few days, Obi on board, this will be a thing of past.”

@Lil_BrownG: “Aisha Buhari is spreading fake news against her husband Muhammad Buhari. She has no regards for her husband and is working with a criminal Bola Ahmed Tinubu to frustrate his policies. The North will remember.”