The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of misleading Nigerians with what it calls “inflated and unverifiable” claims of having up to 11 million members, warning that such figures could be used to manipulate public opinion ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation on Monday, emphasizing that the APC’s membership numbers lack credible documentation and are not supported by any verifiable register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He stressed that the party’s principles include transparency and that fabricating membership figures is a direct violation of democratic integrity.
Abdullahi stated that the APC’s claims are not only deceptive but also dangerous, as they could be used to create the illusion of overwhelming public support. “What the APC is doing would have been amusing and laughable if we didn’t know it is to set the stage for the rigging of the 2027 general elections by claiming that they have 11 million votes,” he said. He further argued that the party is attempting to condition the public to believe that 11 million votes are already guaranteed, which he described as a falsehood. “They should produce a verifiable membership register submitted to INEC,” he insisted.
The ADC official challenged the APC to prove its claims by releasing its full membership register for public scrutiny. “We challenge them that if they indeed claim that they have 12 million members, they should produce the membership register and let Nigerians check if they actually have 12 million members,” he said. He firmly asserted that the APC does not have 12 million members and that the figures being circulated are lies. The ADC’s statement comes amid growing political activity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, with parties intensifying their campaigns and consolidating support.
This development follows less than 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu was declared the APC’s presidential candidate after defeating Stanley Osifo in the party’s primary election. Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes, while Osifo received 16,504 votes in a primary that took place across 8,809 wards nationwide. The figures from the primary were presented as evidence of the APC’s massive support base, but the ADC has dismissed them as politically motivated exaggerations. The ADC’s criticism highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political landscape, especially as parties begin to lay the groundwork for the next general election.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, scrutiny over party membership and electoral integrity is expected to intensify, with opposition parties likely to continue challenging the credibility of claims made by the ruling party. The ADC’s call for transparency may spark broader debate on how political parties document and verify their membership, potentially influencing electoral reforms and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Leave a Comment