PDP, ADC, LP Jostle for Members, Begin E-Registration

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP) have begun nationwide digital membership drives aimed at expanding their support base and strengthening internal party structures.

The move follows the enforcement of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates all political parties to maintain a fully digital membership register and submit the same to the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC , at least 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses or conventions.

Under the law, only those whose names appear in the submitted digital register may vote or be voted for in party primaries, and any party that defaults risks being barred from presenting candidates for elections.

The introduction of Section 77 initially provoked strong resistance across the opposition bloc, with the ADC being the most vocal. Party leaders criticised the clause as logistically unrealistic, arguing that compiling millions of biodata entries, complete with NIN, polling unit details, ward information, addresses and photographs, within the strict timelines set by electoral guidelines placed undue pressure on non-ruling parties with limited digital infrastructure.

The ADC warned that the provision, if rigidly enforced, could be used to shrink democratic competition by disqualifying parties unable to meet the requirements.

Senior figures within the PDP also described the immediate transition from decades-old physical registers to mandatory digital records as administratively disruptive, especially for states with large rural populations where digital access remains limited.

The Labour Party raised similar concerns, noting that many grassroots members could be inadvertently disenfranchised due to difficulties in accessing digital verification systems or acquiring NINs.

Across several smaller political platforms, Section 77 generated fears that the ruling establishment might weaponise the law by insisting on strict deadlines that opposition parties considered nearly impossible to meet.

Civil society groups and legal practitioners added their voices, warning that mass exclusion of party members due to incomplete digital documentation could trigger disputes, litigation and widespread disenfranchisement.

However, with INEC maintaining a firm stance that non-compliance would lead to disqualification from primaries, political parties began shifting from protest to adaptation.

It was in this context that the PDP approved the commencement of a nationwide digital membership registration programme scheduled to run for three weeks beginning Monday, March 2, 2026.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party explained that the exercise is designed to produce a compliant digital register in line with the Electoral Act.

Registration will occur daily, except Sundays, across ward, chapter and state offices, while special cases will be handled at the national secretariat.

A special committee chaired by the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Daka Shan, has been set up to oversee the exercise and address complaints.

The ADC, after initially objecting to provisions of the Electoral Act that it believes favour the ruling party, has also  unveiled a free nationwide online membership portal accessible via www.adcregistration.ng.

According to its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the platform is central to the party’s preparations for its congresses, conventions and the 2027 general elections.

The ADC emphasised that only members whose data are properly captured and verified on the new system will be eligible to participate in its primaries, in keeping with the demands of Section 77.

The party also encouraged Nigerians at home and abroad, as well as support groups, to take advantage of the digital process, noting that those previously registered on older systems must revalidate their information.

The Labour Party, under the leadership of Nenadi Usman, is undertaking an even more ambitious membership expansion and revalidation campaign aimed at enrolling 10 million Nigerians ahead of its congresses in March and national convention in April 2026.

Tagged “Labour Party Connect: 10 Million Nigerians,” the exercise began on December 17 and is ongoing across all wards, local governments and states.

At the inauguration of the party’s National Steering Committee in Abuja, Chairman and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, described the drive as a national call to deepen internal democracy and strengthen citizens’ participation in party affairs.