Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government to ensure the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) begins immediate payment of all depositors in Heritage Bank in full.
Mr Obi’s statement on Monday evening followed the revocation of Heritage Bank’s license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Acting spokesperson of CBN Hakama Sidi Ali said in a statement that Heritage Bank’s board and management have been unable to improve its financial performance.
It also announced NDIC as liquidator of the bank.
Reacting to the news, Obi wrote on X, “The latest CBN’s revocation order on Heritage Bank’s operating license and subsequent appointment of NDIC as liquidator of its assets though affirmed by the regulators as necessary at this point to enhance financial stability, has a far-reaching impact on the bank’s depositors.
“Given the harsh economic realities in the country now, I will urge the federal government via NDIC to ensure immediate payment of all depositors in Heritage Bank in full to help alleviate the prevailing hardship the people are going through in the country.
“Many individual savers and SMEs are already groaning under severe negative effects of the economy and already living in abject poverty. These depositors depend on the savings they have in the now-liquidated bank to survive.
“Any attempt to deny or delay payment to these depositors would worsen their economic woes and could lead to a crisis of confidence in the banking system.
“Anything short of immediate and full payment can create panic in the banking sector which our already fragile economy cannot afford.
“On no account should the actions of government through the CBN destabilize the financial system or shake public confidence in the integrity of the system.”
