The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has refuted reports that financial transactions would be suspended from February 23 to February 27, during the country’s general elections. The bank discredited the rumors via its Instagram account, urging the public to be vigilant of false information.
A message making the rounds had suggested that the CBN would shut down financial transactions during the election period to prevent politicians from buying votes. The message advised people to stock up on food and make transfers in advance of the supposed shutdown, claiming that bank networks would be offline from Thursday to Monday.
The CBN promptly dismissed the claims, stating that there were no plans to suspend financial transactions during the election period. The bank assured customers that all banking transactions would continue as usual and advised against panic or excessive withdrawals.
Furthermore, the CBN encouraged customers to carry out their banking activities without concern of any disruptions during the election period. It also implored customers to report any suspicious activity relating to their bank accounts to their respective banks or relevant law enforcement agencies.
The spread of false information and rumors during election periods is common in Nigeria, and the CBN’s response serves as a reminder to the public to authenticate information before taking any action.
