Lagos: The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that preparations are in full swing for its e-registration exercise, set to begin in January 2026. The party says it remains open to welcoming new defectors while consolidating its growing membership base.
The party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed this on Friday, while speaking with newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Lagos.
Ojelabi commended the media for its sustained support, especially during the last local government elections, adding that the party is fully prepared for the e-registration of old and new members.
He noted that the exercise would commence on Jan. 5, 2026, across the state’s 245 wards and end on Jan. 31.
“We want to build a comprehensive and credible database of our members. Before the next general elections, we want to know the actual number of our members,” he said.
According to him, many people were indicating interest in joining the party, while some existing members were yet to obtain authentic APC membership cards.
“Our party has continued to grow bigger. We are receiving more members every day, and we are still open to receiving more people,” he said.
He said that, all things being equal, the party would begin its congresses in February 2026, starting at the ward level and moving up to local government, state, and zonal levels, culminating in a national convention.
The chairman explained that prospective members would register at their wards with bio data, such as name, age, address, polling unit, National Identification Number (NIN), and Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
He, however, noted that those without PVCs could still register but would be regarded as temporary members.
Ojelabi called for prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
On the constitution of local government cabinets, he said that the process would be concluded soon.
Reacting to complaints about delays in refunds for expression of interest and nomination forms from the last local government elections, Ojelabi said affected aspirants would start receiving their refunds from next week.
On allegations of imposition, the APC chairman said that such claims often came from individuals unfamiliar with the party’s ethos.
He explained that the party’s constitution recognised consensus, which some people wrongly described as imposition.
“People cry imposition when it does not favour them; In APC, we operate by rules. We do not impose candidates,” he said.
He added that some aspirants who failed to meet the required conditions also alleged that the process was imposed, and that the forthcoming e-registration would further clarify genuine party membership.
On monitoring of local government chairmen, Ojelabi said that council chairmen were performing well, noting that the party had constituted an assessment committee to monitor their activities.
“It has become a healthy competition among them; Funds released to councils must be used for development. We are monitoring and asking questions,” he said.
Ojelabi said that chairmen had also been encouraged to reside within their council areas to promptly address local challenges.
Regarding the reconciliation of aggrieved members after the July 12 local government elections, he said that reconciliation committees were already at work at the local government and senatorial district levels.
The chairman urged stakeholders, including the media and opposition parties, to help address low voter turnout in elections.
