The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it described as widespread and coordinated attempts to coerce Nigerian civil servants into registering for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) through its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who said the party had received repeated reports from various parts of the country pointing to systematic pressure on public servants to enlist with the APC.
According to the ADC, affected workers are allegedly being compelled to register for the ruling party as a condition for job security, career advancement, or continued access to their means of livelihood.
The party described the development as unacceptable in a democratic society, warning that forcing citizens to belong to a political party amounts to a grave violation of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ADC stressed that freedoms of thought, conscience, and association are inalienable rights that cannot be bestowed or withdrawn by any government or political organisation.
It argued that what the APC has branded as “e-registration” is increasingly assuming the character of economic coercion and forced political affiliation.
“A political party that truly enjoys the support of the people does not need to conscript citizens through fear, intimidation, or the weaponisation of the payroll,” the statement said. It added that compelling civil servants to join a party they do not believe in amounts to “state-sponsored conscription” rather than organic party growth.
The ADC further warned that the alleged practice poses a serious threat to the integrity and professionalism of the Nigerian civil service, which it said is constitutionally required to remain neutral, merit-based, and loyal to the state, not to any political party.
The party cautioned that turning civil servants into partisan instruments undermines institutional credibility and erodes public trust in governance.
It also dismissed claims that a swelling digital membership register is evidence of genuine political support, insisting that figures built on intimidation and coercion do not translate into electoral success.
“Databases do not vote; citizens do,” the statement said, adding that inflated numbers achieved through pressure may serve propaganda purposes but cannot mask what it described as growing public alienation amid economic hardship, insecurity, and declining confidence in government.
The ADC called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), labour unions, civil society organisations, and the international community, to closely monitor the situation. It warned that the alleged actions could amount to abuse of power, as well as violations of data protection laws and fundamental human rights.