APC Extends e-registration by One Week, Fixes Convention for March 27

APC Extends e-registration by One Week, Fixes Convention for March 27

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended its nationwide membership e-registration exercise by one week, shifting the deadline from January 31 to February 8, 2026, while fixing its National Convention for March 27 and 28, 2026.

The decision was announced on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, while briefing journalists after the 183rd meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.

Morka said the extension was approved to accommodate the growing number of party members who are yet to complete the digital registration process, noting that the exercise had continued to record impressive participation nationwide.

“We are responding to the clamour by enthusiastic members who are hoping to register, to afford them more time to do so,” he said, urging party leaders and members to intensify mobilisation efforts during the extended period.

Beyond the e-registration exercise, the NWC also approved the timetable for the party’s forthcoming congresses and convention. According to Morka, ward, local government and state congresses will hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, ahead of the National Convention scheduled for March 27–28.

He, however, disclosed that congresses would not be held in Rivers, Edo, Ekiti states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing peculiar circumstances.

“With respect to Rivers State, you will recall that we conducted off-cycle congresses there last year. The tenure of the executives elected at that congress is still subsisting, and we must allow it to run its full course before scheduling fresh congresses,” he explained.

Morka added that details of adjustments to the congress timetable, alongside the full composition of the coordinating committee for the National Convention approved by the NWC, would be formally published on Monday.

Providing an update on the membership drive, the APC spokesman said the party had surpassed the seven million mark in digitally verified members, expressing optimism that the figure could rise to about 12.5 million by the close of registration on February 8.

“As of the time I was here about a week ago, we were approaching seven million. We have crossed that mark, and by the grace of God, by the time we close on February 8, we should be heading towards 12.5 million,” he said.

Also speaking, the National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, described the e-registration exercise as “tremendously successful,” attributing the extension to requests from key stakeholders across the states.

He said the decision followed appeals from party leaders and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum during a meeting held earlier in the week.

“We received requests from many states that there are still a lot of members eager to register. Based on those requests, particularly from the body of governors, the National Working Committee decided to extend the exercise,” Basiru said.

The Secretary also said the party was deepening its digital reforms, disclosing that applications for the forthcoming congresses would be processed online for the first time.

“We are innovating rapidly. Applications for the upcoming congresses will be available online. This is the first of its kind, and it sets us apart,” he said.

He further explained that the requirement of National Identification Number (NIN) and Voter Identification Number (VIN) for e-registration was deliberate, stressing that it aligns with national data protection laws and promotes financial and civic inclusion.

“You cannot gather credible data without proper identification. NIN is the basis for lawful data collection and financial inclusion. And how can you be a member of a political party without being a registered voter?” Basiru asked.

He said the approach places the APC ahead in compliance with legal and electoral standards, while preparing members for effective participation in both party and national programmes.