The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to claims that the most wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji, possesses a membership card of the party, describing the information as fake and circulating online, bearing the image of the notorious bandit kingpin.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC described the card as a crude forgery orchestrated by “mischievous elements” bent on discrediting the party’s ongoing electronic registration (e-registration) exercise in the state.
The statement added that the alleged forgery is easily detectable, even to the layperson.
Gusau further stated that the date on the card carries an emboldened “26,” purportedly referring to January 26, a detail he said raised immediate suspicion.
He further explained that the photograph used on the card is a widely circulated image of Bello Turji, well known to security agencies and the general public, making the claim of his registration implausible.
The APC stressed that no individual can be successfully registered as a party member without a valid National Identification Number (NIN), which the bandit leader does not possess.
“This alone renders the efforts of the fabricators meaningless,” the statement said, adding that the party’s registration process is largely automated and transparent.
The party also faulted the forgers for overlooking basic National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) procedures, which require applicants to provide detailed personal information before biometric capture.
“It is unthinkable that NIMC would capture anyone wearing military camouflage and carrying a firearm, as such features are outrightly unacceptable,” Gusau stated.
Clarifying further, the APC disclosed that records from the day’s registration in Kware Ward did not contain any membership identification number beginning with the code “26,” which is designated for Niger State. Zamfara State membership identification codes, he explained, begin with “36,” further exposing the forgery.
Preliminary investigations, according to the statement, have linked the fake card to Babangida Aliyu Shinkafi (Waziri), described as an associate of Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who was recently suspended from participating in the e-registration exercise over alleged misconduct, while the APC claimed the forged card first surfaced on his Facebook page.
“The APC in Zamfara State categorically debunks and distances itself from the fake membership card bearing registration number ID: APC 261113000102.
“The incorrect state code used clearly exposes the ignorance of the fabricators,” the statement added.
The party called on members of the public to disregard the forged card, assuring that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
It also confirmed that the case has been reported to security agencies, expressing confidence that those responsible will be arrested and prosecuted.
