Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has asked residents of the state, especially marketers, to collect and spend the old and new naira notes as both are still legal tenders in the country.

According to him, per the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the latest circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the old naira notes remains a legal tender in the country.

He added that banks are now officially issuing the old naira notes (including N500, and N1000).

The governor, therefore, urged all residents of the state to spend and receive both the old and the new naira notes.

This is contained in a Kwara State Government House statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“This appeal especially goes to our marketers/traders. Further rejection of the old naira notes is in breach of the Supreme Court judgment. Such rejection is also inflicting economic pains on ourselves. Marketers, and indeed everyone in the state, can and should receive the old and new naira notes since commercial banks are now receiving the two. Citizens are to note that rejection of the legal tender, such as the old naira note, is a serious crime under our law” the statement explained further.

The governor, however, implored the banks to kindly extend every support within their powers to the people of the state to ease all their transactions as things return to normal.