Oyo APC Optimistic as Electronic Membership Registration Drive Targets 350,000 New Enrollees

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong optimism regarding the success of its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise, setting an ambitious target of enrolling at least three hundred and fifty thousand new members by the conclusion of the drive on January 30. This initiative aligns with the directive from the party's national secretariat to conduct a fresh, technology-driven registration of members across the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory. The move is designed to create a robust, verifiable database of party faithfuls, facilitating better management, strategic planning, and electioneering ahead of future political contests.

In a statement released on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party acknowledged that the exercise in Oyo State had faced initial delays due to logistical challenges. However, the leadership commended the resilience and dedication of critical stakeholders who rallied to overcome these hurdles, ensuring that the registration process is now proceeding smoothly. The statement noted that the same energy and passion displayed during the recent open-air stakeholders' meetings across the fourteen federal constituencies were instrumental in resolving the bottlenecks, thereby restoring the state chapter’s status as a pacesetter in party organization.

The registration drive is seen as a pivotal step in the party's strategy to reclaim power in the state during the 2027 general elections. The APC leadership emphasized that building a comprehensive database of "organic members" is essential for mobilizing voters effectively. The party recalled that in the 2023 presidential election, it delivered nearly 450,000 votes for President Bola Tinubu. With this new registration drive, the goal is to increase that figure by at least forty percent, leveraging the state's population strength to secure a landslide victory for the President’s re-election and to dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Agodi Government House.

The party has issued a broad appeal to all residents across the thirty-three local government areas to take advantage of the ongoing exercise. The statement specifically invited every resident who is eighteen years of age and above to visit designated registration centers. Prospective members are required to present their National Identification Number (NIN), Permanent Voter Card (PVC), and other personal details to be captured in the digital register. The leadership framed this call to action as an invitation to "key into the Renewed Hope Agenda" of President Tinubu, which they asserted is already yielding positive results for the nation.

By transitioning to an electronic database, the APC aims to eliminate the issues of ghost members and double registration that have plagued manual registers in the past. This modernization effort is expected to provide a clear picture of the party's actual strength in each ward and polling unit, allowing for more targeted campaigning and resource allocation. The emphasis on "organic members" suggests a focus on genuine grassroots engagement rather than inflated figures.

As the January 30 deadline approaches, the party's machinery is in full swing, mobilizing support and encouraging participation. The success of this registration drive will likely serve as a barometer for the party's readiness to challenge the incumbent administration in the next election cycle. For the Oyo APC, the numbers generated from this exercise will be more than just statistics; they will be the ammunition needed to prosecute the political battles ahead.