The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using its ongoing electronic registration exercise to coerce Nigerian civil servants into joining the party.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it has received multiple reports from across the country alleging that public sector workers are being compelled to register with the APC as a condition for job security, promotion, or continued access to their means of livelihood.
The party described the alleged actions as unacceptable in a democratic system, warning that compelling citizens to affiliate with a political party violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the ADC, freedoms of thought, conscience, and association are basic human rights that cannot be imposed or withdrawn by those in power.
The ADC argued that what the APC has presented as a digital membership drive is, in practice, turning into a tool of economic intimidation and forced political alignment. It maintained that a political party with genuine grassroots support would not rely on fear, threats, or manipulation of workersā welfare to expand its membership.
āA party that enjoys real public backing does not need to conscript citizens through intimidation or control of the payroll,ā the statement said, describing the alleged practice as āstate-sponsored conscriptionā rather than legitimate party growth.
The opposition party also warned that such actions could erode the neutrality and professionalism of the Nigerian civil service, which is constitutionally expected to serve the state impartially and remain non-partisan. It noted that politicizing civil servants weakens public institutions and damages citizensā trust in governance.
The ADC dismissed claims that a growing digital membership database reflects true political support, stressing that figures generated through coercion do not translate into electoral victory. āDatabases do not vote; citizens do,ā the party said, adding that inflated numbers cannot mask rising public dissatisfaction linked to economic hardship, insecurity, and declining confidence in government.
The party called on relevant bodies, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), labour unions, civil society groups, and the international community, to monitor the situation closely. It warned that the alleged conduct could amount to abuse of power, as well as violations of data protection laws and basic human rights.