APC objectives registration of one.2m individuals as E-registration starts in Enugu

Introduction

In December 2025, the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced an ambitious digital registration drive in Enugu State, aiming to enroll 1.2 million individuals as part of a broader effort to modernise the party’s organisational structure. The initiative, described as an “e‑registration” exercise, was launched during a state‑wide training programme for supervisors who will oversee the registration process at ward and polling‑unit levels. This article unpacks the announcement, examines its context, evaluates the strategic significance, and offers practical advice for party members and observers.

Why this topic matters to readers

Political parties in Nigeria are increasingly turning to technology to streamline membership drives, improve data accuracy, and expand grassroots mobilisation. The APC’s move in Enugu provides a clear case study of how digital tools can be integrated into traditional party politics. Understanding the objectives, mechanics, and potential outcomes of this exercise equips journalists, scholars, and citizens with the context needed to assess its impact on governance, political participation, and electoral preparedness.

Key Points

Target Membership Figure

The party’s official communication cites a concrete target: 1.2 million registered members across Enugu State. This figure represents roughly 10 % of the state’s voting‑age population, underscoring the scale of the ambition.

Leadership Roles Involved

Dr. Ben Nwoye, the APC Caretaker Chairman in Enugu, officiated the flag‑off of a supervisory training programme. Chief Flavour Eze, the APC E‑registration Chairman, also spoke at the event, highlighting the alignment of the exercise with broader governance goals.

Digital Platform Overview

The registration is conducted through an online portal that captures biometric and personal data, aiming to reduce manual errors and enhance transparency. The platform is designed to operate at the ward and polling‑unit levels, allowing supervisors to verify participants in real time.

Governance and Political Participation Goals

According to the party’s statements, the registration drive is intended to strengthen internal party organisation, improve data‑driven decision‑making, and foster greater political engagement among Enugu residents.

Timeline and Public Call‑to‑Action

The exercise commenced in December 2025 and is slated to run for several weeks, during which party officials encourage all citizens to participate actively, describing the process as a civic duty that supports national development.

Background

APC’s Digital Transformation Journey

Over the past five years, the APC has experimented with technology‑enabled membership drives in several states, including Lagos and Kano. These pilots tested mobile‑based verification, biometric capture, and cloud‑hosted databases. Successes in those environments prompted the party’s national leadership to consider a statewide rollout in Enugu, a region viewed as a strategic stronghold.

Historical Context of Enugu Politics

Enugu State has been a politically active area in Nigeria’s southeast, producing notable figures in both the PDP and APC. Recent electoral contests have been closely contested, making robust party structures essential for any party aspiring to win state‑level elections.

Regulatory Environment

Nigeria’s Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) do not regulate internal party membership registration. Consequently, parties enjoy discretion in designing their own enrolment processes, provided they do not engage in illegal activities such as vote‑buying or coercion.

Previous Registration Exercises

In 2022, the APC conducted a similar digital registration in Rivers State, targeting 800,000 members. That exercise reported a 95 % verification success rate but faced challenges related to internet connectivity and data privacy concerns. Lessons learned from that pilot informed the current Enugu strategy.

Analysis

Strategic Implications for the APC

The decision to register 1.2 million members digitally serves multiple strategic purposes:

• Data Accuracy: Online capture reduces duplicate entries and enables the party to maintain a clean, searchable database.
• Scalability: A digital system can accommodate rapid growth without proportional increases in human resources.
• Political Legitimacy: Demonstrating a modern, transparent recruitment process can enhance the party’s image among tech‑savvy voters.

Potential Risks and Challenges

Despite the upside, several risk factors merit attention:

• Infrastructure Limitations: Enugu’s internet penetration stands at roughly 58 % (World Bank, 2024). Connectivity gaps in rural wards could hinder registration completion.
• Data Security: Storing personal biometric data online raises privacy concerns. The party must ensure compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to avoid legal repercussions.
• Political Opposition Scrutiny: Rival parties may question the transparency of the process, alleging manipulation or exclusion of certain demographics.

Legal Considerations

While internal party registration is not regulated by electoral law, the collection of biometric data is subject to the NDPR. The APC must obtain explicit consent from participants and implement safeguards against unauthorized access. Failure to do so could expose the party to civil liability and regulatory sanctions.

Comparative Perspective

When juxtaposed with the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s recent membership drive in Abuja—targeting 500,000 new members—the APC’s 1.2 million target appears more ambitious. However, the APC’s emphasis on digital verification distinguishes it from the PDP’s largely paper‑based approach.

Practical Advice

For Party Members Participating in the Registration

1. Prepare Required Documents: Bring a valid government‑issued ID, proof of residence, and any previous party membership card.

2. Verify Internet Access: If you reside in an area with unreliable connectivity, consider visiting a designated registration centre during off‑peak hours.

3. Check Data Accuracy: Ensure that spelling, dates of birth, and contact details are entered correctly before submitting.

For Supervisors and Registrars

1. Training Attendance: Attend all scheduled training modules to familiarise yourself with the portal’s functionalities.

2. Quality Control: Conduct spot‑checks on randomly selected entries to confirm data integrity.

3. Report Anomalies: Immediately flag any technical glitches or suspicious activities to the central coordination team.

For Researchers and Journalists

1. Request Official Statements: Seek press releases from the APC’s Enugu State office for precise figures and timelines.

2. Cross‑Reference Data: Compare the party’s announced targets with independent demographic statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics.

3. Assess Compliance: Review the party’s privacy policy to determine adherence to NDPR standards.

FAQ

Conclusion

The APC’s announcement to register 1.2 million members in Enugu through an online e‑registration system represents a significant step toward modernising party operations in Nigeria. By leveraging digital tools, the party seeks to improve data quality, expand its membership base, and align its organisational practices with contemporary governance expectations. While the initiative offers clear strategic advantages, it also introduces challenges related to internet accessibility, data security, and regulatory compliance. Stakeholders—including party members, supervisors, researchers, and the broader public—should engage with the process critically, ensuring transparency and accountability at every stage. Continued monitoring and evaluation will be essential to assess whether the registration drive achieves its intended goals and contributes positively to political participation in Enugu State.