An alleged APC membership card bearing the photograph of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has sparked controversy in Zamfara State, though the party insists the card is fake.
A fresh controversy has emerged in Zamfara State following the circulation of an All Progressives Congress (APC) membership card reportedly showing the name and photograph of notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji. Turji, a wanted bandit leader linked to mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states, appeared to be listed as a party member, raising concerns about potential political links with violent non-state actors.
The Zamfara State chapter of the APC has denied any association with Turji, describing the membership card as forged and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the party’s image. Reacting to the development, the State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, said the card was doctored to include Turji’s photograph and falsely present him as a registered member. Idris made this known in a statement issued in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Monday.
“The party have come across a fake APC membership card in circulation, doctored to carry the edited photograph of the notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji, and falsely portraying him as a registered member of our great party,” Idris stated. He added that the alleged forgery was the work of individuals determined to sabotage the ongoing APC electronic registration exercise in the state.