E-Registration: APC Shoots Down Claim Of Forcing Civil Servants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the allegation by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that civil servants in several states were being compelled to participate in the ruling party’s ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.

It described the allegation as “entirely false and baseless”.

The ADC had, on Sunday, claimed that public sector workers were being pressured to enlist in the ruling party as part of the nationwide digital registration drive.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said reports it received indicated that public servants were being pressured under conditions linked to job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood to participate in the exercise.

The ADC described the practice as “economic coercion and forced membership”.

It warned that such conduct violates the constitutional right to freedom of association, undermines the neutrality and professionalism of the Nigerian civil service, and poses a “grave threat” to democratic norms.

But responding on Monday, the APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the exercise is strictly voluntary and open only to Nigerians who freely choose to identify with the party.

The party accused the ADC of deliberately peddling disinformation in a bid to smear the APC and cast doubt on the credibility of the e-registration process.

According to the APC, the allegation is part of a broader pattern of false narratives by the opposition party, including the circulation of a fake APC membership slip purportedly showing that a notorious terrorist had been registered as a party member.

Morka said millions of Nigerians have voluntarily enrolled in the APC since the commencement of the exercise, describing the massive turnout as a reflection of growing public confidence in the party and its policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He disclosed that the registration window, initially scheduled to close on January 31, was extended to February 8, 2026, due to overwhelming participation across the country.

The APC said the scale and momentum of the exercise have unsettled the ADC, urging the opposition party to focus on building its own membership base rather than spreading what it called false narratives.

“While the ADC continues to fumble and peddle falsehood, our great party remains focused on its onward march as Africa’s standard-bearer of digital and democratic innovation,” the statement said.

The ruling party reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, voluntary, and credible membership registration process, stressing that no Nigerian is under any obligation to join the APC.