APC chairman warns state coordinators to register all members, linking exercise to party reforms, transparency, and grassroots electoral strength across Nigeria.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its nationwide membership registration drive, with the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, issuing a firm directive to state coordinators to ensure no member is left unregistered.
The directive, given during a meeting with all State Registration Coordinators at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, emphasizes that the success of the exercise is critical to strengthening the party from the grassroots up.
According to Yilwatda, the role of a state coordinator is not merely ceremonial but a strategic responsibility to enhance party structures and ensure that the APC remains competitive in all future elections.
He warned that any coordinator who fails to fully register party members in their state risks being replaced.
“If you do not get all party members registered in your state, we will drop you and appoint another person. This is an opportunity to make the APC stronger and more effective,” the chairman said.
The chairman also stressed the importance of a strong grassroots network, noting that elections are decided at the ward, local government, constituency, and state levels—not at the national secretariat.
He described state coordinators as the foot soldiers of the party, charged with ensuring that every APC member has the opportunity to be registered.
“Nobody contests elections at the National Secretariat. The strength of the APC depends on how functional and responsive our structures are at the grassroots,” he explained.
The meeting also addressed concerns about discrepancies between claimed membership figures and actual votes during elections.
Yilwatda lamented situations in which the APC records millions of members on paper but fails to translate these numbers into electoral wins.
He described such inconsistencies as unacceptable and stressed that the ongoing registration drive would reflect the real strength of the party.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, had earlier disclosed that the party had successfully registered over two million members within just one week of the exercise in several states, signaling the enthusiasm and commitment of both party leaders and members.
The nationwide registration is scheduled to conclude on January 30, 2026, and the party is leaving no room for delay or negligence.
To ensure compliance, Yilwatda warned that any member of a State Executive Committee (SEC) who fails to register by the deadline will be removed from office.
He emphasized that the National Executive Committee (NEC), the second highest decision-making body in the party after the National Convention, possesses the constitutional authority to enforce rules and maintain accountability.
In addition to warnings, the chairman encouraged state party chairmen to fully support coordinators in executing the exercise. He described cooperation at all levels as essential for seamless and successful registration.
“This registration drive is not negotiable. The warning must echo from the state down to the ward level,” he said.
Yilwatda also condemned practices aimed at blocking or excluding party members from the registration process.
He made it clear that no individual—whether chairman, coordinator, or governor—has the power to prevent any member from being registered.
“No APC member must be disenfranchised. This is about fairness, inclusivity, and strengthening the party,” he said.
To enhance efficiency, the chairman instructed coordinators to use Android devices where tablets are unavailable, ensuring no state stalls the exercise due to equipment shortages.
He further advised against unnecessary financial burdens on state governments, noting that in his own state, registration officials were recruited from local wards to reduce logistical challenges and costs.
Providing a progress update, Professor Yilwatda revealed that Delta State currently leads in registrations, followed by Lagos, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Plateau States.
He encouraged other states to emulate their pace and commitment and announced that he would review the progress in five days.
Linking the membership drive to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, the APC chairman emphasized that accurate data is essential for good governance and effective party planning.
He described the electronic registration as a modernization effort, highlighting that the APC must embrace transparency, internal democracy, and accountability.
“The APC must reflect the same spirit of reform and modernization as the government we support. Decisions cannot be based on inaccurate assumptions. This registration must succeed,” he declared.
The electronic registration, the first of its kind by any political party in Nigeria, is expected to provide the APC with a credible, real-time membership database.
According to Yilwatda, the initiative will enhance campaign planning, reduce fraud, strengthen internal democracy, and ensure that party resources are allocated according to verified membership figures.
With less than a month remaining in the registration exercise, the APC leadership is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the party accurately captures its membership.
By the end of the exercise, the APC expects to have a fully verified, inclusive, and robust database that reflects the true strength of the party at all levels of governance, ensuring it remains competitive in upcoming elections.
About The Author
