Digital Race Begins As PDP, ADC, LP Scramble To Meet Electoral Law
By MELVIN KOFFA
New Law Reshapes Party Organisation
NIGERIA’S major opposition parties — PDP, ADC and LP — have launched sweeping digital membership registration campaigns to comply with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, a provision reshaping internal party politics.
The law requires parties to maintain verifiable digital registers and submit them to INEC before conducting primaries. Only those listed can vote or be voted for. Parties that default risk exclusion from elections.
When first introduced, Section 77 drew sharp criticism. The ADC warned that strict enforcement could disadvantage smaller parties lacking sophisticated digital systems. PDP officials described the transition from decades-old manual registers as administratively disruptive, while the Labour Party cautioned that grassroots members without access to digital tools or NIN registration could be unintentionally excluded.
Civil society groups also raised concerns about possible litigation and disenfranchisement if large numbers of members fail to meet digital verification requirements.
From Protest to Preparation
Despite early objections, parties have pivoted toward compliance following INEC’s insistence that the law will be strictly enforced.
The PDP has commenced a nationwide three-week registration exercise, operating through ward, chapter and state offices. A supervisory committee headed by Hon. Theophilus Daka Shan is overseeing the rollout, with mechanisms established to address complaints.
The ADC has adopted a fully online strategy, unveiling a national membership portal to capture and verify member data. The party has emphasized that participation in future primaries will depend strictly on successful digital registration.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party is pursuing a dual strategy of revalidation and expansion, targeting 10 million members before its 2026 congresses and convention. Its campaign, branded “Labour Party Connect,” is active across the country.
Implications for 2027
Beyond compliance, the digital drives reflect a broader contest for political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Accurate membership registers are not only a legal requirement but also a strategic tool for mobilization, internal democracy and candidate selection.
The new regime could strengthen transparency within party structures if implemented effectively. However, it may also expose capacity gaps and intensify competition for grassroots dominance.
As parties jostle for members and digital legitimacy, Section 77 has effectively turned internal registration into the first battleground of the 2027 electoral cycle.
