APC E-Registration Plot to Manipulate 2027 Polls, Says Ogun Labour Party

The Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise as a tool to allegedly manipulate political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. The allegation, contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, has added to growing political tensions in the state as parties begin early positioning for the next electoral cycle.

The LP claimed that the APC’s e-registration drive, officially presented as a routine membership update, was designed to digitally inflate membership numbers and project an exaggerated image of popularity. The APC, however, has described the initiative as a transparent, technology-driven process aligned with global best practices in political organisation.

Labour Party Raises Allegations of Digital Manipulation

The Labour Party’s state chairman, Chief Oluwabukola Soyoye, alleged that the APC had turned to electronic registration because it could no longer mobilise supporters openly. According to him, public dissatisfaction with the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun had made physical mass mobilisation difficult for the ruling party.

Soyoye argued that the absence of open, physical registration centres was deliberate, claiming that the digital platform allowed figures to be generated without the involvement of real party members. He described the exercise as a “political referendum” that, in his view, reflected declining public confidence in the current administration.

The LP further alleged that the electronic system could be exploited to manipulate data and create a misleading narrative of political dominance ahead of the 2027 polls. The party warned that such practices, if unchecked, could undermine public trust in the political process.

Calls for Oversight and Institutional Monitoring

In its statement, the Labour Party called on security agencies, civil society organisations and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to closely monitor political activities in Ogun State. It cautioned against what it described as a growing culture of digital manipulation in party processes that could have wider implications for future elections.

The party stressed that technology should enhance transparency rather than obscure accountability. It maintained that any political exercise conducted behind closed doors risked eroding public confidence and weakening democratic participation.

Reaffirming its political stance, the LP said it remained committed to offering what it described as a credible, transparent and people-centred alternative to the APC-led government in Ogun State.

APC Defends E-Registration Initiative

Responding to the allegations, the Director of Publicity of the APC in Ogun State, Mr Femi Nuberu, said the party would respond “at the appropriate time.” The APC had on Tuesday formally commenced the electronic registration and re-registration of its members as part of a broader mobilisation strategy.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the initiative as an opportunity for members and supporters to deepen their commitment to the party. He said the electronic process was intended to build a credible and accurate membership database.

According to the APC, the e-registration system would eliminate manipulation, enhance accuracy and strengthen internal cohesion while aligning the party with modern, technology-driven political practices ahead of future engagements.