By Rhoda Godwin
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a substantial early turnout in its nationwide electronic membership registration and verification exercise, announcing that more than two million party members have been digitally registered just one week into the campaign.
Party leaders, buoyed by the initial response, are now targeting up to nine million registered members by the end of January — a figure that would mark a significant transformation of the party’s organisational backbone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The e-registration initiative, formally launched in early January, represents an ambitious attempt by APC to modernise its membership database, enhance internal governance, and lay the groundwork for stronger grassroots mobilisation.
The exercise, spearheaded by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) under National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, combines digital tools with broader outreach strategies to ensure inclusivity across Nigeria’s diverse political landscape.
Speaking after a Monday meeting with state coordinators overseeing the exercise, Senator Basiru said the early figures reflect strong enthusiasm among party members, even as some states continue to scale up operations. “Just a week into the exercise, with many states yet to start in full trotting, Nigerian APC members already exceed two million digitally verified participants with their names and voter identification numbers captured,” he said.
From Abuja to the grassroots wards, state chapters have embraced the directive with robust campaigns. In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu personally participated in the exercise, urging party members to prioritise digital registration as a cornerstone for genuine party membership and democratic participation.
Similarly, APC leaders in Ekiti State have mobilised local coordinators and supervisors to intensify voter outreach, framing the exercise as a reflection of loyalty and commitment to the party’s future success.
However, the digital transformation is not without logistical hurdles. Recognising the challenges posed by limited internet connectivity and security concerns in parts of the country, the party has deployed hybrid approaches, including manual data capture in remote areas with later digital upload at access points. Basiru emphasised that no party member should be excluded due to technological or infrastructural limitations.
For many party stakeholders, the shift to digital membership data promises not just efficiency but credibility. Accurate, verifiable membership figures are seen as critical for planning election strategies, tailoring policy communication, and resolving internal disputes. Organisers have stressed that each registrant must provide a Voter Identification Number (VIN), linking party affiliation directly to civic participation records.
Yet the e-registration has also drawn scrutiny. Some critics point to uneven implementation across states, citing reports where certain regions have recorded relatively low numbers of registrants — a challenge that party authorities acknowledge and are addressing by empowering coordinators and supervisors with additional resources.
In response to slow uptake in some quarters, the National Chairman has taken a firm stance, warning that state coordinators who fail to deliver results may be replaced to ensure the exercise meets its nationwide targets. The party’s leadership underscores that the success of the e-registration exercise is pivotal not only for internal coherence but for building momentum ahead of upcoming elections.
Across several state chapters, preparatory steps have complemented the national push. In Osun, the party conducted e-registration training sessions for local government supervisors, ensuring that administrators are equipped to navigate the digital platform and support registrants efficiently.
In Adamawa, tools and materials have been provided to all wards to facilitate seamless data capture and membership verification.
While its outcomes remain to be fully realised, the APC’s digital membership drive signals a broader shift in Nigerian party politics — one that marries technology with traditional mobilisation to drive modern political engagement. Party leaders are optimistic that by the end of January, robust data, clear membership delineation, and renewed grassroots vigour will position the APC for heightened competitiveness as the country approaches pivotal electoral contests.
