*PDP alerts CBN, security agencies

About two weeks after the December 5 governorship election, fake naira notes used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to entice voters, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) authoritatively on Saturday alleged that the fake monies estimated at about N2 billion are now in circulation in Bayelsa State.

According to the PDP, the printing and circulation of the said notes has vindicated its earlier alarm raised prior to the conduct of the election of the plan of the APC to rig the election and as well induce voters with fake currencies.

Checks reveal that over N2 billion of the fake currencies are already in circulation, while they are still planning to print more for the re-run election in Southern Ijaw local government area of the State.

The currencies, especially the N1,000 are having the same serial numbers while the quality of the paper used in printing is not the same with the original currencies.

A statement from the Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organization, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite said the eagle which is one of the security symbols of the original currencies does not feature on the fake ones.

He called on the relevant agencies to step up action by ensuring the mop up of the liquidity, saying it portends serious danger for the economy of the State.

Obuebite also warned those operating business outfits to be vigilant, as the fake notes could be used to transact businesses with them.

He added that the security personnel that were on election duties were mostly paid with the same fake notes.

The Campaign Director has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgent step up action to mop up the fake notes in circulation, while proper investigations are carried out and the perpetrators of the unlawful act brought to book.

He condemned in very strong terms, “the desperation, the hook and crook disposition of the APC and its governorship candidate, whose plan to take over governance in Bayelsa is anchored on deceit, complete lies and violence, stressing that, they have continued prove and from their antecedents that, they do not mean well for the people.”