APC dismisses opposition protests over the INEC digital register deadline, saying parties must submit electronic membership lists for the 2027 elections

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed complaints by opposition parties over the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the submission of digital membership registers.

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The electoral body had directed all political parties to forward comprehensive electronic membership lists by 2 April 2026 in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, a requirement tied to participation in the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Saturday in Osogbo during the distribution of identity cards to members of the Alubarika Movement, Basiru argued that opposition parties had no valid reason to protest the 21-day timeline.

“The rule about registration is very clear. Even before the amendment of the Electoral Act, every data was expected to be linked with the NIN. That was why when the APC began its digital registration, we insisted that it must be tied to the NIN,” Basiru said.

The ruling party official disclosed that the APC had already captured about 12 million members in its database, with their records linked to their National Identity Numbers.

“We find it very strange that any political party would be complaining that they don’t have a register of members, or that the time for registration of members is too short, because under the old law there’s actually a requirement for the register of members to be submitted 30 days,” Basiru added.

He noted that the new law shortened the period from 30 days to 21 days and described the criticism as unnecessary. According to him, parties unwilling to comply with the INEC digital register deadline should reconsider their readiness for the election.

Basiru also urged leaders of the APC nationwide to avoid imposing candidates ahead of the general election, stressing the need for transparent and credible primaries within the party.

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“Our party is now large, so my advice is that we should create a level playing ground so that there can be a free and fair contest at the primary. Anybody that wins or loses should know it is based on the acceptability by members of the party,” he said.