Gombe APC: Denies Allegations of PVC Personal Data Collection

• The Gombe State APC has rejected PDP allegations that Governor Inuwa Yahaya's administration is collecting PVCs, bank details, and biometric information under an empowerment program.
• The APC described the claims as "baseless, unfounded and politically motivated," asserting they aim to create distrust around government initiatives.
• The party clarified that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the sole authority for PVCs and voter registration, not the APC.
• The APC challenged the PDP to provide credible evidence of unlawful data collection to appropriate authorities instead of relying on political rhetoric.
• Governor Yahaya's administration remains focused on people-oriented governance, infrastructure, and economic empowerment, undeterred by the allegations.

The APC explicitly stated that it is neither the issuing authority nor the legal custodian of these crucial electoral documents.

The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently denied accusations leveled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning the alleged collection of sensitive personal information from citizens. The PDP claimed that the administration led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, an APC member, was illicitly gathering Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), bank account details, and biometric information.

These allegations suggest that the data collection was occurring under the guise of an empowerment program designed for residents. However, the APC, through its Gombe State Publicity Secretary, Murtala-Usman Tale, issued a statement on Thursday, dismissing the claims as "baseless, unfounded and politically motivated." The ruling party contended that these accusations were an attempt to sow "unnecessary fear, suspicion and distrust" among the populace regarding legitimate government initiatives aimed at improving welfare and livelihoods.

Central to the APC's rebuttal was the clarification regarding the authority over Permanent Voter Cards. The party emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the sole statutory body responsible for issuing and administering PVCs, as well as managing voter registration and conducting elections across Nigeria. The APC explicitly stated that it is neither the issuing authority nor the legal custodian of these crucial electoral documents.

The party further argued that requests for citizens' information, when made in the context of accessing legitimate empowerment or social intervention programs, should not automatically be misconstrued as attempts at electoral manipulation. This distinction, the APC insisted, is vital for both the PDP and the general public to understand, separating genuine government efforts from partisan political activities. The dispute highlights heightened scrutiny on Gombe electoral data collection allegations and the importance of adhering to INEC PVC rules within Gombe empowerment initiatives.

In response to the PDP's claims, the APC issued a direct challenge, urging its rival to present any credible evidence of unlawful collection, retention, or misuse of citizens' personal information or PVCs by any government agency, official, or individual to the appropriate authorities for investigation. The ruling party accused the PDP of resorting to mere political rhetoric instead of offering constructive alternatives and viable policy solutions to the people of Gombe State.

The APC maintained that the citizens of Gombe are capable of discerning between genuine concerns for their welfare and what it described as "politically motivated narratives" designed to undermine legitimate government programs. The party called on the PDP to cease spreading unsubstantiated allegations and allow residents to participate freely in beneficial government initiatives, implicitly touching upon the broader issue of Nigeria personal data collection legality.

Despite the ongoing political dispute, the APC affirmed that the administration of Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya remains steadfastly focused on its core mandate. This includes people-oriented governance, robust infrastructure development, economic empowerment programs, and various initiatives aimed at elevating the standard of living for all residents. The party declared that no amount of "political rhetoric, misinformation or unfounded allegations" would divert the administration from its responsibilities and commitment to the state's populace.

The APC underscored the importance of issue-based politics, advocating for a discourse centered on ideas, policies, and programs that genuinely improve people's lives. The party concluded by emphasizing that Gombe State belongs to all its inhabitants, and the collective welfare, peace, and development of its people should consistently take precedence over narrow partisan political interests, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the ongoing APC PDP Gombe data privacy debate.

This development highlights the heightened scrutiny on personal data collection practices, particularly concerning sensitive information like PVCs and biometrics, within government empowerment programs in Nigeria. Lawyers advising political entities, government agencies, or NGOs must ensure strict compliance with data protection laws and electoral regulations to mitigate risks of unlawful data acquisition allegations and potential electoral manipulation claims.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH