ADC accuses APC of coercing civil servants to register as members

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of coercing civil servants to register as members in its ongoing e-registration exercise.

The ADC, in a statement by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday, said compelling civil servants to join a political party is a violation of their constitutional rights to freedom of association.

While stating that the development is a threat to the country’s civil service, ADC noted that the civil servants are meant to be neutral and loyal to the country and not a political party.

“The ADC expresses deep concern over disturbing reports emerging from several states across the country indicating that civil servants and government workers are being coerced, under pressure from the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to register for the ruling party’s ongoing e-registration exercise.

“These reports, which are consistent and widespread, suggest a coordinated attempt to compel public servants to surrender their freedom of association as a condition for job security, career progression, or continued access to livelihood. This is unacceptable in a democratic society.

“It is important to reiterate that compelling any Nigerian to join a political party is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights, as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Freedom of thought, conscience, and association are not privileges to be granted by the ruling party; they are inalienable rights that no government has the authority to abridge.

“What the APC describes as “e-registration” is increasingly beginning to resemble economic coercion and forced membership. A political party that truly enjoys popular support does not need to conscript its citizens through fear, intimidation, or the weaponization of the payroll,” the statement read.

It added that “when civil servants are pressured to register for a party that they do not believe in, that is not party growth; it is state-sponsored conscription. This development also poses a grave threat to the integrity and professionalism of the Nigerian and state civil services. The civil service is meant to be neutral, merit-based, and loyal to the state and the country, not to any political party.

“Turning civil servants into partisan hostages undermines institutional integrity and erodes public trust in governance.We further warn that a database filled through coercion is a paper tiger. A digital register does not translate to genuine political support. Databases do not vote; citizens do.

“Inflated numbers achieved through intimidation may serve propaganda purposes, but they cannot disguise the growing alienation of Nigerians from a government that has failed to deliver economic relief, security, or hope.

“The ADC calls on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), civil society organisations, labour unions, and the international community, to take serious note of what increasingly appears to be a state-enabled abuse of power and a potential violation of data privacy and human rights.”