The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over allegations that civil servants across several states are being pressured to participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) electronic membership registration.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson of the ADC, alleged that the directive was emanating from the national leadership of the ruling party.
The opposition party described the alleged practice as forced political affiliation, warning that it amounts to economic coercion and violates the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely associate.
According to the ADC, reports indicate a coordinated effort to compel public servants to enrol in the APC as a condition for job security, promotion, or continued access to their livelihoods.
“This is unacceptable in a democratic society,” the statement said, adding that no Nigerian should be made to surrender fundamental rights in exchange for employment or career advancement.
The party said forcing individuals to join a political party constitutes a gross violation of rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly the freedoms of thought, conscience and association.
Abdullahi said the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise was beginning to resemble state-backed coercion rather than genuine party expansion.
“A political party that enjoys popular support does not need to rely on fear, intimidation, or the weaponisation of salaries to build its membership,” he said.
The ADC further warned that compelling civil servants to align with a political party undermines the neutrality and professionalism of the civil service.
“The civil service is meant to serve the state and the nation, not any political organisation,” the party said, describing the alleged actions as a serious threat to institutional integrity.
The party also argued that inflated membership figures obtained through intimidation cannot conceal public dissatisfaction with governance, citing economic hardship, insecurity and declining public confidence.
The ADC called on the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, labour unions, civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor what it described as abuse of state power.
On Friday, the APC extended its electronic membership registration and revalidation exercise to February 8, following the expiration of the initial January 31 deadline.
The ruling party said the extension was granted in response to appeals from stakeholders seeking additional time for supporters to register and validate their membership.
Earlier, Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the APC, had said the party’s digitally verified membership was expected to rise to between eight and nine million within weeks of the exercise.
