Gombe PDP Accuses Gov Inuwa Of Coercing Citizens To Surrender Voters’ Cards, Account Details, Thumbprint For Vote Buying

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gombe State Chapter has accused the APC-led government of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of collecting sensitive personal details from residents under the guise of disbursing palliatives.

In a press release dated 9th September, 2026 and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku, the party said information reaching it indicates that government agents are demanding account numbers, voters’ cards and thumbprints from unsuspecting individuals in the name of an empowerment program.

The PDP said it expresses strong concern over the action, noting that if government genuinely wishes to disburse support, it should be done freely and transparently without coercing citizens to surrender sensitive data.

The party argued that the empowerment program is funded from public treasury to which every citizen is entitled irrespective of political leaning, and therefore should not be tied to any condition.

“The insistence by the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to demand voters card and biometric data as a prerequisite is therefore unnecessary, unlawful, and a clear attempt to profile citizens,” the statement said.

The PDP cited Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees citizens’ right to privacy, stating that a voter’s card contains sensitive information including name, photograph, date of birth, address, NIN and polling unit details that can be used to identify and target an individual.

“Mishandling, collecting without consent, or disclosing PVC data can therefore infringe on a citizen’s constitutional privacy and expose them to intimidation, fraud, or political manipulation,” the party warned.

The party cautioned residents not to give out their personal details for any material benefit, saying “your voter’s card is your weapon during the forthcoming elections in order to bring about purposeful leadership in the Gombe State.”

“To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” Dukku added.