The Stalled E-Registration Project of the APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, has faced significant challenges in implementing its electronic membership registration project ahead of the 2027 general elections. This initiative, which was first announced nearly two years ago, has been stalled due to internal power struggles and leadership transitions within the party.
According to sources close to the party, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, has taken control of the e-registration project from the party’s former National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Analysts believe this shift is a strategic move aimed at influencing the party’s direction for the upcoming elections.
Despite the initial announcement of the project, the APC has yet to begin the electronic registration process. The party has spent substantial resources on preparations, but the project remains inactive. Dr. Ganduje, who became the sixth national chairman of the APC during the party’s 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in August 2023, had outlined plans for digitizing membership registration as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s base before the 2027 polls.
However, since then, top party officials have continued to delay the project. A senior APC chieftain, Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, attributed the delay to internal political maneuvering among party leaders, stating that the issue is closely tied to the 2027 elections.
Another anonymous senior party official pointed to the leadership transition as a factor, but also highlighted the power struggle between governors and the Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC). According to the source, some governors were dissatisfied with how Ganduje was handling the project, which may have contributed to his eventual exit from the position.
A close ally of Ganduje, however, claimed that some governors deliberately sabotaged the project to maintain their control over party membership ahead of the 2027 elections. The source, who requested anonymity, stated that President Bola Tinubu had initiated the e-registration idea and directed Ganduje to implement it. He added that the project was handed over to the deputy national chairman and the PGF, but some governors later created obstacles to prevent its progress.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of renewed momentum. The current national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has reportedly taken charge of the project, and the party’s ICT center is now under new management. However, some staff members have reported being mobilized for the exercise without receiving training or payment, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the initiative.
A Brief History of Membership Registration in the APC
The APC’s first membership registration was conducted manually in 2014 after the merger of several political parties. In 2018, the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC initiated another registration project, followed by a manual revalidation exercise carried out by the Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee, which ended in March 2021.
The Buni-led caretaker committee was formed in June 2020 after the NEC dissolved Oshiomhole’s NWC over allegations of abuse of office. By the time of the March 2022 national convention, Buni announced that APC membership had increased from 11 million to 41 million.
Ganduje’s e-registration initiative marked the party’s fourth attempt at registering its members. However, he resigned under controversial circumstances in June 2025, and the NEC appointed Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the new national chairman in July 2025.
The Contract and the Delay
On February 13, 2025, the APC officially contracted Tunmef Global Limited to undertake the nationwide digital membership registration. The agreement was signed at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, with several governors and party officials in attendance. Ganduje praised the move, calling it a long-awaited reform that would provide scientific data for the party’s operations.
However, despite the contract, the project has not yet begun. The contract sum remains undisclosed, and attempts to obtain the figure from either the party or the contractor have been unsuccessful. Party officials have also declined to comment on the delay.
Optimism from the PGF
Hope Uzodinma, the PGF Chairman and Imo State Governor, recently inspected the party’s ICT center and expressed confidence that the e-registration project would start soon. He was accompanied by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“We inspected the facility and were highly impressed with what we saw. We are confident that our e-registration will start in full force any moment from now,” Uzodinma said.
