The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise has now surpassed 10 million members nationwide, a figure the party describes as a major milestone and a sign of renewed public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement, shared by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, has sparked widespread online discussion and criticism.
Social media users and opposition voices have pointed out the sharp contrast with the party’s earlier claims.
In 2021, during a major membership registration and revalidation drive under the then Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, APC officials repeatedly stated that the party had registered over 40 million members.
Reports from that period, including statements carried in Punch Newspapers and other outlets, quoted party leaders saying the figure exceeded 40 million, positioning the APC as having one of the largest political memberships in the country’s history.
The 2021 exercise was meant to build a robust database and strengthen the party’s structures following internal challenges.
At the time, officials highlighted the influx as evidence of growing support and a shrinking rival base.
Fast-forward to early 2026, and the party launched a new e-registration platform aimed at creating a more transparent, digitally verified membership roll.
After extending the deadline and reporting progressive milestones — including crossing 7 million and then higher figures — the APC declared it had officially crossed the 10 million mark.
Party spokespersons, including Lagos State chapter representative Seye Oladejo, framed the achievement as “unprecedented” and a clear indicator of grassroots strength, internal democracy, and nationwide acceptance.
Critics, however, have seized on the numbers to question the credibility of past claims.
Online posts juxtaposing the 2021 “over 40 million” figure with the current 10 million milestone have gone viral, with many describing the drop as evidence of declining popularity linked to governance challenges, economic hardships, and internal party issues.
Some have mocked the progression as a “glow-down” or suggested the earlier 40 million figure was inflated for political posturing.
The APC has not directly addressed the discrepancy in recent statements.
In 2024, the party’s National Secretary had remarked that the 2023 election results — where the party’s presidential candidate secured under 9 million votes despite the high membership claims — had exposed earlier figures as exaggerated or unreliable.
With ward congresses and other preparations for a national convention now underway, the fresh e-registration data is expected to form the basis for the party’s structure moving forward.
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Whether the 10 million verified members translate into stronger electoral performance remains to be seen, but the headline numbers have already reignited debates about trust, transparency, and the real strength of Nigeria’s ruling party.
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