The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims circulating online that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji is a registered member of the party, describing the alleged APC membership card bearing his image as a forgery.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC said the card was “crude” and deliberately fabricated by “mischievous elements” seeking to discredit the party’s ongoing electronic registration (e-registration) exercise in Zamfara.
Gusau said the forgery was obvious, noting that the date on the card featured a boldly printed “26,” purportedly indicating January 26, a detail he described as suspicious.
He also explained that the photograph used on the card is a widely circulated image of Bello Turji, well known to security agencies and the public, making any claim that the bandit leader successfully registered with the APC highly implausible.
The party further stressed that registration into the APC requires a valid National Identification Number (NIN), which Bello Turji 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 APC also faulted the alleged forgers for ignoring basic National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) requirements, which mandate 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.
Providing further clarification, the party 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. According to the APC, Zamfara State membership identification codes begin with “36,” further exposing the card as fake.
Preliminary investigations, the statement said, have traced the origin of the forged card to Babangida Aliyu Shinkafi (Waziri), an associate of Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who was recently suspended from participating in the e-registration exercise over alleged misconduct. The party claimed the fake card first appeared on Babangida Shinkafi’s 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 APC urged members of the public to disregard the forged card, assuring that investigations are ongoing. It also confirmed that the matter has been reported to security agencies, expressing confidence that those responsible will be arrested and prosecuted.
