The Grassroots Mobilization Network, GMN, a support group of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of fabricating its claimed 12.9 million membership figure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group alleged that the APC membership claim was intended to create an impression of widespread grassroots support and could be used as part of an alleged plan to manipulate the election.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Comrade Peter Emeka, the group challenged the ruling party to make its membership register publicly available for verification.
GMN said political strength should not be determined through statistics that cannot be independently verified.
“The APC’s 12.9 million membership claim is nothing but fraud and a scam by a party that has lost the confidence of Nigerians,” Emeka said.
The group alleged that the APC membership claim could be presented to Nigerians, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, election observers and the international community as evidence of the party’s grassroots strength.
Emeka further alleged that the figure could support what he described as impending plans to rig the 2027 presidential election.
However, he insisted that Nigerians would resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
GMN called on the APC to publish its membership register state by state and ward by ward if the 12.9 million figure was accurate.
“If APC truly has 12.9 million members, let them publish the register, state by state, ward by ward, for Nigerians to verify,” the group said.
The ADC support group also criticised the APC-led Federal Government over what it described as worsening economic and social conditions.
It cited hunger, insecurity, unemployment, inflation and broader economic hardship as issues that should receive greater attention.
“If APC truly wants to grow its membership, it should first address hunger, insecurity and economic hardship,” the group said.
GMN argued that Nigerians would be more likely to support a political party that offered hope and demonstrated credible leadership.
The group also claimed that empty rallies, deserted party offices and public dissatisfaction contradicted the scale suggested by the APC membership claim.
GMN warned that unverified membership figures could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and contribute to voter apathy ahead of the 2027 polls.
It called on civil society organisations and the media to demand evidence supporting the APC’s membership figure and subject the claim to independent scrutiny.
“Governance is not a census of ghosts. Leadership must be accountable, measurable and people-centred,” the group declared.
The ADC support group maintained that Nigerians deserved a credible and transparent electoral process in 2027.
It said political parties should demonstrate genuine grassroots support through public trust, performance and accountable leadership rather than what it described as manufactured statistics.
