The Peoples Democratic Party is alleging that a week after the December 5 governorship election, fake naira notes allegedly used by the All Progressives Congress to entice voters, 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.
The PDP said its checks revealed that over N2 billion of the fake currencies are already in circulation, while the APC is still planning to print more for the re-run election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
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 of the Restoration Campaign Organization, Jonathan Obuebite, said the Eagle, which is one of the security symbols of the original currencies, does not feature on the fake ones.
Obuebite called on the relevant agencies to step up action by ensuring the mop up of the fake notes in circulation, 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 called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to take urgents step 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”.
