Political parties across the country have intensified efforts to digitise their membership databases as the deadline for submission of electronic registers draws closer, signalling the early onset of strategic mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the revised election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are required to submit comprehensive digital membership registers by April 2, 2026.
The directive, anchored on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, is intended to strengthen internal party democracy, improve transparency in primaries, and ensure credible nomination processes.
However, some stakeholders fear the requirement could disproportionately affect opposition parties that lack the financial capacity and technological infrastructure needed to compile and verify large digital databases within the limited timeframe.
APC moves to consolidate database
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a nationwide electronic membership registration and validation exercise across all wards in the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement posted on the party’s official X handle, Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said the exercise is designed to strengthen the party’s internal data architecture and ensure the credibility of its membership records.
He explained that while existing members are expected to validate their details, new members are encouraged to enroll through the digital platform. According to him, registrants must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid National Identification Number to complete the process.
Morka noted that the initiative would improve planning, mobilisation and decision-making within the party while also promoting transparency, internal democracy and efficient administration.
The APC urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the exercise, describing it as part of broader reforms aimed at modernising party operations and maintaining a verifiable record of its nationwide support base.
BusinessDay reports that the party’s electronic membership registration has since commenced.
Read also: 17 parties ramp up last-minute campaigns at FCT polls, ahead Saturday
ADC adopts hybrid approach
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has unveiled a free nationwide online membership registration portal as part of its early preparations for the next electoral cycle.
In a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the party said the initiative requires existing members to update and revalidate their records in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The party explained that the digital portal was introduced after the launch of its physical registration exercise in Abuja and that both manual and online options would run concurrently.
According to the ADC, the online system is intended to ensure that only verified members participate in party primaries, noting that authentication of records would become central to candidate eligibility and voting rights within the party.
The ADC added that participation has been encouraging across several states and among Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing that the free digital option was introduced to widen participation, simplify enrolment and eliminate entry barriers for prospective members.
PDP begins fresh drive
Within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee aligned with former Minister Tanimu Turaki has approved the commencement of a nationwide membership registration and re-validation exercise beginning March 2, 2026.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the exercise would run for three weeks and take place across ward, chapter and state offices nationwide.
The party said the primary objective is to compile a digital membership register that meets statutory requirements while expanding grassroots structures and mobilising new supporters ahead of the polls.
A special committee headed by the National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Daka Shan, has been constituted to supervise the exercise and address complaints that may arise during the process.
Party officials said the exercise is crucial for ensuring compliance with the law and strengthening the PDP’s organisational base in preparation for what is expected to be a fiercely contested election.
APGA targets expansion
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has also commenced a nationwide electronic registration exercise, which it says will digitise its membership database and broaden participation across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, Ejimofor Opara, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, , said registration would be accessible online, via WhatsApp and at ward centres.
He noted that new applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid National Identification Number, adding that temporary slips would be issued pending the production of permanent membership cards.
Opara said the party first introduced electronic registration in 2024 and hopes the renewed exercise will strengthen internal democracy, improve data integrity and expand its national footprint.
The party, he added, aims to surpass two million registered members as it seeks to position itself for greater national relevance before the next elections.
Labour Party’s earlier digital push
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP), had earlier embarked on an ambitious membership expansion plan, targeting over 20 million members through an online registration and revalidation exercise initiated in November 2024.
In a communiqué issued after their National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the party said the initiative was designed to boost its political influence nationwide while preparing the ground for congresses at ward and state levels.
The party explained that the digital registration exercise was intended to update ward registers ahead of its internal elections and to strengthen its national structure in advance of the 2027 polls.
Read also: Ex-INEC officials, parties, analysts, flag lack of transparency , other risks in new Electoral Act
Timetable revision accelerates preparations
The push towards digital registers gained urgency following adjustments to the electoral calendar.
Originally, INEC had fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, with governorship and state assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027.
However, after the Senate amended provisions of the Electoral Act to reduce the mandatory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, the commission released a revised timetable.
Under the new schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are set for February 6, 2027.
The revised calendar also fixed April 2, 2026, as the deadline for submission of digital membership registers, effectively forcing parties to accelerate their organisational reforms.
Concerns over fairness and capacity
While the digitalisation push is widely viewed as a step towards improving party transparency and internal democracy, analysts warn that the compressed timeline may create structural disadvantages.
Observers are of the view that smaller parties and financially constrained opposition groups may struggle to deploy nationwide verification systems, maintain secure digital databases and capture biometric or identity-linked information within the stipulated period.
Political observers say the requirement could reshape party strategies, encouraging mergers, alliances and data-sharing arrangements as parties attempt to meet compliance thresholds.
Others argue that the transition to digital registers may ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity by reducing manipulation of membership lists and disputes arising from primary elections.
Digital politics takes centre stage
Beyond compliance, the rush towards digital membership databases reflects a broader shift in the country’s politics towards technology-driven mobilisation.
From online registration portals to WhatsApp-based enrolment and remote validation systems, parties are increasingly relying on digital tools to map support bases, manage internal elections and plan campaign strategies.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the ability of parties to build credible digital membership registers may prove as decisive as campaign messaging or coalition-building.
BusinessDay reports that for now, the race is on, not just for votes, but for verified data that could determine which parties ultimately make it onto the ballot.
