The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced the training of officers for its nationwide electronic registration of members in Enugu State, as part of efforts to build a comprehensive digital membership database ahead of future elections.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise in Enugu, the Acting Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in the state, Barr. Ben Nwoye, said the e-registration initiative was a national programme designed to capture all party members across the country.
According to him, although Enugu State joined the exercise later than some other states, the delay was due to recent political realignments within the state.
“Enugu State is coming on board at this time because of the recent political transition. We were given a clear mandate to ensure that everyone who wishes to join the APC is properly captured,” Nwoye said.
He explained that the electronic registration system replaces the old manual process, which often resulted in exclusion, delays and disputes over party membership.
“Gone are the days when people were denied registration or delayed over membership cards. Once you register, your details are stored electronically and can be accessed anywhere,” he stated.
Nwoye noted that the e-registration would also help resolve recurring disputes during election litigation, particularly issues relating to party membership and the eligibility of candidates.
“With this system, issues such as whether someone is a party member or when they registered can be verified instantly,” he said.
He added that the exercise forms part of the APC’s early preparations for the 2027 general elections, noting that accurate membership data would enable the party to engage directly with its supporters.
Explaining the structure of the registration process, Nwoye said national coordinators had trained state coordinators, who now supervise zonal coordinators for Enugu West, Enugu North and Enugu East, while the actual registration would be carried out at the grassroots.
“The actual registration is polling-unit specific. Agents will go to every polling unit so we know exactly how many APC members we have in each location,” he said.
According to him, the party is deploying technology to make the process simple and efficient, with registration agents using smartphones to upload members’ details directly to a central server.
“We are deploying modern technology in this process, and the same data-driven approach will be applied during elections,” Nwoye added.
He stressed that membership of the APC is free and open to all Nigerians aged 18 and above, describing party participation as the foundation of democratic governance.
“If you want to sustain policies and reforms, you must participate. The starting point of participation is membership of a political party,” he said.
Nwoye also referenced ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu, noting that while reforms are often difficult at the beginning, positive results were beginning to emerge.
He further pointed to developments in Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah, citing improvements in budgeting, infrastructure, education, agriculture and healthcare.
“If you like what is happening and want it sustained, you must be part of the process. Democracy does not start on election day; it begins with internal party participation,” he said.
He explained that only registered party members are eligible to participate in delegate elections and primaries, adding that non-members cannot influence candidate selection.
On the duration of the exercise, Nwoye said the e-registration would run until the end of January, after which membership cards would be produced. He added that individuals interested in participating in upcoming primaries but unable to complete electronic registration in time would be captured through physical registration.
“Everyone who wants to be part of the APC will be captured. The process is designed to be inclusive,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Flavor Eze, the State Chairman of the APC E-registration Exercise in Enugu State, said the party was determined to register only genuine members and eliminate fictitious entries from its database.
According to him, prospective members would be required to present their National Identification Number (NIN) and Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) during the registration process to ensure credibility and accuracy.
“The party wants to register real and not fictitious members. That is why the use of NIN and Voter’s Card is mandatory in this exercise,” Eze said.
He explained that the registration would be conducted at the ward level, adding that the zonal coordinators — Kelvin Uche Edeh (Enugu East), Samson Eneje (Enugu North) and Jennifer Ndubuisi (Enugu West) — had already been trained.
Eze further disclosed that officers who would supervise the exercise at various local government levels were currently undergoing training, while the training of ward officers would commence shortly.
He added that the e-registration exercise is part of the Renewed Hope political strategy aimed at strengthening the APC’s grassroots base and positioning the party for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
