Two major Nigerian opposition parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — have started nationwide digital membership registration to comply with the requirements of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move comes as political parties race to meet the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which requires all parties to submit verified digital membership registers by April 2, 2026.
Despite earlier objections to the provisions of the amended Electoral Act signed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, opposition parties have begun implementing the digital registration process in preparation for the upcoming elections.
PDP Begins Three-Week Nationwide Registration
According to a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the party’s digital registration exercise commenced on March 2, 2026, and will run for three weeks across Nigeria.
The initiative aims to compile a comprehensive digital membership database that meets the requirements of the updated electoral law.
Party members and new applicants are encouraged to visit PDP ward offices nationwide to complete the registration process.
The party has also established a special committee led by National Organising Secretary Theophilus Daka Shan to supervise the exercise and address complaints.
ADC Opens Online Membership Portal
Similarly, the ADC has launched a free online membership registration platform, allowing Nigerians to sign up and update their records digitally.
According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, existing members must revalidate their membership information on the new portal to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations.
The party said only members whose information is fully captured and verified in the official digital register will be eligible to vote or contest in party primaries.
APC May Reopen Registration Portal
Meanwhile, a source within the ruling All Progressives Congress indicated that the party may reopen its electronic registration portal to allow more Nigerians to join before the submission deadline.
INEC recently revised the 2027 election timetable after lawmakers amended the Electoral Act to reduce the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days.
Under the updated schedule announced by INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Political parties are now under pressure to finalize their digital membership registers before party primaries begin.
