APC Opens Electronic Membership Registration to All Nigerians Nationwide
The All Progressives Congress has invited all stakeholders, supporters, and members, both old and new, to participate in its ongoing Membership Electronic-Registration Exercise across the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, announced in a statement obtained from the party’s official X handle on Friday that the exercise is being conducted simultaneously in all wards nationwide.
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“Existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the party,” Morka said.
According to the party spokesman, participants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid National Identification Number to complete the registration process.
Morka explained that the e-Registration exercise is designed to digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, provide efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promote internal democracy, and strengthen the APC’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria.
He urged all eligible Nigerians to take part in the exercise and join what he described as the progressive family of Nigeria’s ruling party.
The APC noted that the initiative is part of its ongoing effort to modernise party operations, increase transparency, and ensure that party membership is up-to-date and verifiable nationwide.
The electronic registration represents a significant departure from traditional paper-based membership systems that have characterised Nigerian political parties for decades. The digital approach is expected to reduce duplication, eliminate ghost members, and provide real-time data on the party’s membership strength across the country.
The timing of the registration exercise is significant, coming more than two years before the 2027 general elections. Political parties typically conduct membership drives and registration exercises ahead of electoral cycles to strengthen their grassroots base, update membership records, and demonstrate numerical strength.
Membership registration has been a contentious issue in Nigerian party politics, often becoming a source of internal disputes and legal battles. The process has historically been used to determine who qualifies to participate in party primaries, vote at conventions, and hold party offices.
The APC itself has experienced internal crises over membership registers in the past. During preparations for its 2022 national convention, disputes arose in several states over the authenticity of membership lists, with various factions accusing each other of inflating figures or excluding legitimate members.
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The introduction of electronic registration, linked to the National Identification Number, appears designed to address some of these perennial challenges by creating a more transparent and verifiable system. The NIN requirement ensures that each member can be uniquely identified, potentially reducing the manipulation of membership figures that has plagued party politics in Nigeria.
Under Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, political parties are required to maintain accurate registers of their members. The Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grant the Independent National Electoral Commission oversight powers over political parties, including the authority to verify membership claims.
The 1999 Constitution, as amended, requires political parties to maintain democratic structures and ensure that membership is open to all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion, or place of origin. The APC’s open invitation to all eligible Nigerians aligns with this constitutional requirement.
Political parties in Nigeria have traditionally struggled with membership verification, particularly during primary elections when disputes often arise over who constitutes legitimate members entitled to vote. The digitisation of membership records could potentially reduce such disputes by providing a clear, centralized database of verified members.
The electronic registration system could have significant implications for internal party democracy within the APC. A credible, up-to-date membership register is essential for conducting transparent primaries and party congresses, as it determines who has the right to participate in candidate selection and leadership elections.
Opposition parties and civil society organizations have long criticized political parties in Nigeria for lacking transparent membership structures, often citing this as a major obstacle to internal democracy. The APC’s digitisation effort, if successfully implemented, could set a precedent for other political parties to follow.
However, the success of the initiative will depend on several factors, including the accessibility of registration centers, the efficiency of the technology deployed, and the willingness of members to participate in the process. Previous attempts at electronic registration by political parties have faced challenges including poor internet connectivity in rural areas, lack of awareness among grassroots members, and technical glitches.