Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially launched a nationwide digital membership registration exercise, targeting a comprehensive and up-to-date database of its members.

The national leadership of the ruling party declared during the signing ceremony at the party?s secretariat in Abuja that the initiative underscores its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance its internal processes and maintain its position as a leading political force in Nigeria.

National Chairman of the ruling party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for endorsing the digital transformation agenda, describing the initiative as a long-conceived programme that had finally come to fruition.

?We are always making history as a party,? Ganduje noted, adding: ?I want to thank Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for approving that we go digital. This programme was conceived a long time ago but didn?t see the light of day until now.?

Ganduje further emphasised the importance of digitisation, particularly in the context of elections and party administration, noting that the exercise would provide the APC with accurate and scientific data, crucial for planning and litigation purposes.

?Without documentation of this type, we are just beating about the bush,? he said, stressing: ?But with this exercise, we are sure of having scientific data which we can always use. During litigation, sometimes you look for a membership list and get a controversial one, which complicates your case in court. With e-registration, we can easily retrieve our data as it is.?

Also commending the party?s financial independence, which enabled it to sponsor the digital registration exercise, he called on state governors and chapter chairmen to ensure the successful implementation of the project within the stipulated timeframe.

?The implementation of this project is solely on your back,? Ganduje reminded the governors and state chairmen, adding: ?I?m happy you are here to see the details and sign the agreement. You are expected to give full cooperation so that we can have our complete data.?

Similarly, Chairman of the APC Progressive Governors? Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, described the digital registration exercise as a step in the right direction.

Uzodimma emphasised that the e-registration exercise would enhance the integrity of the party?s membership register and strengthen its internal democracy.

?If we say we have 10 million members, we will know we have 10 million members. When we go to cast our votes, if we have one million or 500,000 persons in Lagos State, we expect that at least within our folds, 500,000 persons will vote for us because every political party is driven by ideology,? he said.

Uzodimma equally dismissed concerns about opposition criticism, stating that the APC?s focus was on organising itself to be a strong and respected party globally.

?We are not afraid of what the opposition will say. Our duty is to organise our party to be respected all over the world. We are expecting elections, and APC is not a party built on a platform that expects no contest. There is no democracy anywhere in the world without contest. Nigerians will decide,? Uzodimma asserted.

The Project Coordinator and APC National Legal Adviser, Prof. AbdulKareem Kana (SAN), who provided an overview, explained that the e-registration exercise would link members? registration numbers to their National Identity Numbers (NIN).

He further added that it would enable the party to access detailed information about its members at the press of a button and from any location.

?The party proposed, and it was approved by the governors and the leader of our party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that we convert the membership register of the party to digital form,? Kana noted.

He further revealed that Tunmef Global Limited was selected as the consultant for the project after a rigorous selection process. Negotiations were completed, and funds were raised internally by the party to finance the initiative.

Kana also assured that the agreement signed with the consultant would protect the interests of both parties and ensure the successful execution of the project. ?We have put together an agreement as the legal department which will protect both sides and serve the interest of the party to ensure that the objective is achieved,? he said.

aPC governors in attendance at the signing ceremony included Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Usman Ododo of Kogi State, as well as members of the APC National Working Committee and state chairmen.

The governors and party leaders pledged full support for the digital registration exercise, describing it as a critical step towards consolidating the party?s gains and preparing for future elections. (Daily Sun)

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