The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is fully prepared for next year’s elections, banking on its newly introduced electronic membership register to deliver credible and transparent primaries.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that the party’s digital database has positioned it for efficient mobilisation and internal accountability.
In a statement issued through his media adviser, Abimbola Toki, Yilwatda said the e-registration provides real-time access to verified party members across the country.
“Our electronic registration gives us real-time access to our members. We know who they are, where they live, and how to reach them. This allows us to mobilise efficiently and conduct credible primaries,” he said.
The APC chairman disclosed that the party’s membership strength is now close to 10 million following the e-registration exercise.
He added that the register has been integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to validate members’ identities, eliminate duplication and enhance transparency.
According to him, the digital clean-up underscores the party’s resolve to strengthen internal processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda also explained why the APC does not operate a Board of Trustees (BoT), saying the party is owned and funded directly by its members.
“APC belongs to its members. Our members fund the party through dues and legitimate contributions, and that gives them true ownership and control of party affairs,” he stated.
Weighing in on the ongoing debate over direct and indirect primaries, the chairman urged caution, stressing that the integrity of the process matters more than the method adopted.
While acknowledging that direct primaries encourage broader participation, he warned of potential manipulation if not properly managed.
Direct primaries can be manipulated, and delegates can be colonised. The real issue is not the method, but the integrity of the process, he said.
Yilwatda noted that the APC remains flexible, having successfully conducted consensus, direct and indirect primaries in different states to preserve unity and stability. He pointed out that several states achieved consensus candidacies without post-primary litigation — a rarity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Responding to concerns over rising defections into the APC, Yilwatda dismissed fears that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state.
He argued that the party’s expanding influence — including control of about 30 governorship seats and a strong majority in the National Assembly — reflects voter confidence rather than coercion.
Politicians from opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have continued to join the ruling party, which he attributed to APC’s organisational strength and reforms.
Yilwatda reaffirmed the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency and continuous reform, describing the APC as a model of effective political organisation poised for the challenges of 2027.