2027: ADC bows to Electoral law, begins online membership registration
Confronted with the realities of the provisions of the amended Electoral Act, which it had earlier criticised as narrowing the electoral space for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general
Confronted with the realities of the provisions of the amended Electoral Act, which it had earlier criticised as narrowing the electoral space for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the commencement of free online membership registration nationwide. This is a requirement for registered political parties to participate in the polls.
The party, however, said the online registration is intended to build on the momentum of its membership registration and revalidation exercise launched last month.
While rejecting the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) timetable for the general election, and Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, the party, earlier on Friday, 27 February 2026, lamented that political parties are required to submit their digital membership registers not later than April 2, 2026.
The party had said the timeline effectively creates barriers for opposition participation, stating, “That is only 34 days away.
“Section 77(7) further provides that any party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated time shall not be eligible to field a candidate for that election.”
“These are not housekeeping rules. They are deliberately constructed barriers to exclude opposition from partaking in the coming election.”
However, in a statement on Sunday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party officially announced the commencement of free online membership registration across Nigeria. The party said the exercise followed the successful kick-off of its nationwide registration and revalidation in Abuja last month.
"The new digital registration platform is designed to enable the party to meet the requirements of the new Electoral Act 2026, regarding the digital membership register.
"Accordingly, only individuals whose membership details are fully captured and verified in the Party’s official digital register will be eligible to vote or be voted for in the Party’s primaries.
"Since the launch of the physical and grassroots membership exercise in February, we have recorded strong interest from Nigerians across states and the diaspora.
"Apart from meeting legal requirements, the introduction of the free online option is designed to remove barriers to entry, simplify enrolment, and ensure that every eligible Nigerian who wishes to identify with the ADC can do so seamlessly and securely.
"Members who have registered on the Party’s previous platform are also required to revalidate their membership on the new digital portal, as additional mandatory information is now required to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines."
Nonetheless, the party maintained its criticism of the amended law, stating, "ADC would like to emphasise that this exercise is without prejudice to our firm objections to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 that give undue advantage to the ruling party as well as the consequential INEC timetable."
The party assured that it remains committed to building a modern, inclusive, and citizen-driven political movement capable of delivering credible leadership and a better Nigeria that works for all.
