The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has denied allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the ruling party is involved in the alleged production of 20,000 fake membership cards ahead of the PDP’s fresh governorship primary.
The APC described the allegation as baseless, insisting that it had no interest in interfering with the internal affairs of the opposition party.
The party’s position was contained in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Murtala Usman Wuro Tale, in response to the allegation made by the PDP ahead of its rescheduled governorship primary.
The PDP had alleged that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was sponsoring the production of 20,000 fake PDP membership cards for the September 29 repeat primary and called for an investigation by security agencies. The allegation has not been independently established.
Reacting, the APC said its focus remained on governing Gombe State, implementing development programmes and remaining accountable to residents.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC-led administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has absolutely no business with the internal affairs, membership administration or governorship primary of the PDP,” Wuro Tale said.
“The conduct of the PDP’s primary is strictly an internal responsibility of the party and its relevant organs.”
The APC spokesman described the allegation concerning the purported 20,000 fake membership cards as an attempt to divert attention from what he described as the PDP’s internal challenges.
He urged the PDP leadership to concentrate on resolving its disagreements and conducting a fresh governorship primary in accordance with the court’s directive, the party’s constitution and applicable electoral requirements.
Wuro Tale also challenged the opposition party to explain how it intended to address the issues arising from the legal challenge to its earlier governorship primary instead of directing accusations at the APC.
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The fresh primary follows a September 24 judgment by the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified the process that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, as the PDP’s governorship candidate and ordered the party to conduct another primary.
The court found that the earlier process did not comply with the PDP’s internal procedures and applicable electoral provisions, after aspirants challenged Pantami’s emergence through a voice-affirmation process.
Following the judgment, the Gombe PDP scheduled a repeat governorship primary for Tuesday, September 29, with Pantami, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry among the aspirants cleared to participate.
However, legal challenges surrounding the fresh exercise have also emerged, with lawyers representing some of the plaintiffs reportedly filing an appeal and seeking a stay of execution over aspects of the judgment concerning the conduct of the rerun.
Against this backdrop, the APC urged the PDP to focus on complying with the court’s directive and resolving issues surrounding its internal electoral process.
Wuro Tale said that if the PDP had evidence that individuals or groups were producing fraudulent membership cards or attempting to interfere with its internal process, such evidence should be submitted to the appropriate law-enforcement or regulatory authorities for investigation.
“Press statements and political allegations cannot substitute for evidence,” he said.
The APC also called on political parties in Gombe State to conduct their activities within the law and engage voters on governance, policies and development issues.
“The people of Gombe State deserve responsible political engagement based on facts, evidence, policies and issues that directly affect their lives,” the statement added.
The APC said it would remain focused on governance and development in Gombe State and would not be distracted by allegations it described as unsupported by credible evidence.