Naira Scarcity: We Are Watching, Will Reconvene Before Elections — Reps

As the effects of the naira scarcity bite harder on Nigerians, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disclosed that they will reconvene if the hardship persists.

Speaking in a statement through his spokesman Lanre Lasisi on Sunday at a town hall meeting in Surulere, Lagos, Gbajabiamila stated that the House would continue monitoring the Central Bank of Nigeria's implementation of its recent reforms.

He also disclosed that if the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had failed to appear before them, he would have signed a warrant for his arrest.

“The House of Representatives intervened on several occasions.

"We summoned the CBN governor the first time and again, but he refused to answer because we had many hard questions for him.

“It was until I issued the threat of warrant of arrest before he came, and I would’ve signed that warrant; it would’ve been the first time in the history of the National Assembly that a CBN governor would be arrested. I would’ve done it.

“Many have argued on the independence of CBN, the autonomy of CBN. That does not make CBN above the law.

"The constitution gives the House the power to issue an arrest warrant against anyone, we can summon anybody, and that was exactly what the House was going to do until the CBN governor came.

“So, we’re watching, and we’re monitoring very closely.

"If need be, we will reconvene the House, even though we’ve all been away for our elections.

"I will call the House back if need be”, he said.