The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious concerns over reports that civil servants in several states are being compelled to register for the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ongoing e-registration exercise.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the exercise is being driven by pressure from the APC’s national leadership, with public servants reportedly facing threats to their job security, career progression, or access to livelihoods if they fail to comply.
The party described the alleged practice as “economic coercion” and “forced membership,” warning that compelling civil servants to align with any political party is a violation of their constitutional right to freedom of association.
According to the ADC, freedom of thought, conscience, and association are fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be abridged by any government or ruling party.
“What the APC describes as e-registration is increasingly beginning to resemble state-sponsored conscription,” the statement said, adding that a political party with genuine popular support would not rely on intimidation, fear, or the “weaponization of the payroll” to boost its membership.
The ADC further warned that the development poses a serious threat to the neutrality and professionalism of the Nigerian civil service, which it said is constitutionally expected to remain merit-based, impartial, and loyal to the state rather than any political party.
Turning civil servants into partisan actors, the party argued, undermines institutional integrity and erodes public trust in governance.
The party also dismissed the political value of a membership database allegedly built through coercion, describing it as a “paper tiger.”
“A digital register does not translate into genuine political support. Databases do not vote; citizens do,” the statement noted, adding that inflated figures achieved through intimidation cannot conceal growing public dissatisfaction with governance.
The ADC called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), labour unions, civil society organisations, and the international community, to take note of what it described as a potential abuse of power, violation of data privacy laws, and infringement of fundamental human rights.
