…Questions FG’s stance on BRICS agenda
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, said Nigeria has no business selling crude oil in dollars, but in naira, so that the Federal Government can shore up its currency, as practised in Russia, China and India.
Falana who spoke on Channels Television, Monday, accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of the “dollarisation” of the Nigerian economy while noting that CBN has not responded to these concerns despite promising to do so.
The human rights lawyer also faulted the use of dollars for business transactions in Nigeria, adding that house rents and school fees and others are being paid in dollars in some parts of the country.
During the interview, he asked for the stance of the federal government on the quest of the BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — to introduce an international currency to challenge the dollar.
“Along our campaign against dollarisation of the economy, the world is moving,” Falana said.
“The BRICS is now campaigning that it is going to have an international currency to challenge the dollar.
“About 24 countries have applied to join the body in their next summit that will take place in South Africa.
“I am simply asking, what is the position of Nigeria? Have we reduced ourselves to the footnote of history as far as international affairs are concerned?
“When you look at section 19(e) of the constitution, it provides that it shall be the duty of the government of Nigeria to promote a new international economic order.
“We have no business selling our oil, gas, and other products in dollars, we are supposed to ask the buyers to pay in naira so that you can shore up your currency.
“That is what Russia is doing currently. China is doing the same. India is doing that.”
