Lagos, Dec. 26, 2025 – The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) is in the final stages of preparation for a landmark digital membership drive, setting the stage for its internal processes ahead of the 2027 general elections. Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, provided a comprehensive briefing on the initiative and broader party affairs during an engagement with journalists at the party secretariat.
The Core Initiative: A Statewide E-Registration Exercise
Ojelabi announced that the party’s electronic registration exercise for both existing and new members is scheduled to run from January 5 to January 31, 2026. The exercise will be deployed across all 245 wards in Lagos State.
Strategic Objectives: The chairman outlined the dual purpose of the exercise. Primarily, it aims to “build a comprehensive and credible database of our members,” moving beyond paper-based records. “Before the next general elections, we want to know the actual number of our members,” Ojelabi stated, highlighting the critical role of verifiable data in campaign planning, resource allocation, and internal democracy.
Registration Protocol: Prospective members are to register at their ward locations with key biodata, including name, address, polling unit, National Identification Number (NIN), and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) details. Ojelabi clarified a significant nuance: individuals without PVCs can register but will be classified as “temporary members,” underscoring the party’s focus on mobilizing an active, voting electorate.
Broader Political Context: Growth, Defections, and Internal Dynamics
Ojelabi positioned the e-registration within a context of sustained political growth. “Our party has continued to grow bigger. We are receiving more members every day, and we are still open to receive more people,” he said, explicitly welcoming defectors from other parties. This openness signals an aggressive expansion strategy in Nigeria’s most populous state.
The chairman also addressed perennial internal criticisms, notably allegations of candidate imposition. He offered a doctrinal rebuttal, explaining that the party’s constitution recognizes consensus-building, a process often mischaracterized as imposition by unsuccessful aspirants. “People cry imposition when it does not favour them; In APC, we operate by rules. We do not impose candidates,” he asserted. He suggested the forthcoming e-registration would help clarify genuine membership, potentially settling future disputes over who constitutes the party’s electorate for primaries.
Forward Timeline: Congresses and Convention
Providing a rare glimpse into the party’s medium-term calendar, Ojelabi disclosed that, contingent on a successful e-registration, the APC plans to commence its congresses in February 2026. This process will follow the traditional hierarchical sequence: Ward > Local Government > State > Zone, culminating in a National Convention. This timeline is crucial for party members and observers, as it sets the pace for the selection of officials who will steer the party into the next electoral cycle.
Addressing Other Governance and Party Issues
The chairman touched on several other pertinent matters:
- Local Government Performance: Ojelabi reported that the party has constituted an assessment committee to monitor the activities of local council chairmen, ensuring released funds are used for development. He noted a “healthy competition” had been fostered among them.
- Financial Reconciliation: Responding to complaints, he stated that refunds for expression of interest and nomination forms from the last local government elections would begin the following week.
- Post-Election Reconciliation: He confirmed that reconciliation committees at the local government and senatorial district levels are actively working to heal divisions following the July 12, 2025, local government polls.
- Voter Apathy: Ojelabi made a broad appeal to stakeholders, including the media and opposition parties, to collaborate in addressing the entrenched challenge of low voter turnout in elections.
In closing, the chairman called for continued prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasizing that security and development are collective responsibilities.
Source: NAN News (Edited by Sandra Umeh)
