The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to commence electronic registration and revalidation of its members as part of efforts to strengthen internal organisation and enhance preparedness for future elections.
The state Chairman of the party, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed this on Friday during an end-of-year media briefing at the party’s secretariat in Ikeja. He said the exercise, scheduled to run from January 5 to January 30, 2026, is aimed at creating a comprehensive and verifiable database of party members across the state.
According to Ojelabi, the initiative will capture both new and existing members, with current members undergoing revalidation in all the 245 wards recognised by the party’s constitution.
“We want to have a proper database of our party and accurate statistical data of our actual membership strength so that we can go into the next general elections fully prepared,” he said.
The APC chairman noted that the party’s National Executive Council had resolved that membership must be meaningful and tied to active political participation. He stressed that possession of a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) would be a key requirement, describing voter registration as fundamental to party affiliation.
“If you are a member of the APC and you do not possess a PVC, you are not with us. Political participation without voter registration defeats the purpose,” Ojelabi stated.
He expressed confidence that the APC remains well positioned to retain power in Lagos State, attributing this to the performance of its public office holders at both state and federal levels, which he said continues to attract members from opposition parties.
On local government administration, Ojelabi said a committee had concluded the identification of qualified individuals for cabinet appointments across the wards, adding that the composition of the local government cabinets would be announced in the coming weeks. He also assured aspirants in the last local government elections that nomination fees would be refunded from next week, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Ojelabi also called for collective responsibility in addressing the country’s security challenges, urging Nigerians to support the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“This is our country and we do not have another one. Peace and security are essential for national development, and they require the support of everyone,” he said, while also appealing for continued prayers for the President.
He dismissed allegations of candidate imposition within the party, insisting that the APC prioritises loyalty, consistency and commitment, noting that what is often described as imposition is, in many cases, the product of consensus-building recognised by the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Also at the media chat, the party’s spokesman and Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said the APC continues to record an influx of defectors from other political parties, dismissing concerns about the emergence of a one-party state.
“Our party is attracting members daily because of its performance at the centre and in Lagos State. This growing interest makes it necessary to open up our e-registration process to accommodate more Nigerians who share our ideals,” Oladejo said.
He added that the APC remains open to all citizens willing to participate in the democratic process and commended journalists for their extensive and objective coverage of the recent local government elections across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
