The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the ruling party is responsible for the alleged printing of fake membership cards ahead of the opposition's new governorship primary.
The PDP's rerun primary is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, after a court ruling nullified its previous governorship primary.
Responding to the allegation, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Murtala Usman Wuro Tale, said the party had no involvement in the PDP’s membership affairs or its governorship primary.
In a statement, Tale described the claim that about 20,000 fake membership cards were being produced as unfounded.
He said the APC-led government under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is focused on governing the state and driving its development agenda, not meddling in opposition affairs.
He maintained that the responsibility for organising the PDP primary rested solely with the party and its authorised organs.
According to him, the APC would not involve itself in the disagreements within the PDP or take responsibility for the outcome of its internal electoral process.
The APC spokesman encouraged the PDP to address its internal conflicts and make sure that the fresh primary complied with the court order, its own rules and relevant electoral provisions.
He also called on the opposition party to account for the circumstances that led to the legal challenge against its previous primary instead of directing allegations at the APC.
The controversy followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Gombe on September 24, 2026, which nullified the PDP primary that produced Professor Isa Ali Pantami as the party’s governorship candidate.
The court consequently directed the PDP to conduct another primary in line with its guidelines and applicable electoral laws. The PDP subsequently fixed September 29 for the fresh exercise.
Tale urged the PDP to present any proof of fake membership cards or interference in its primary to law enforcement and the appropriate regulatory bodies, noting that media allegations are no substitute for verifiable evidence.