APC e-registration: We target 51% of registered voters in Ogun

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has disclosed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is targeting at least 51 per cent of total registered voters in Ogun State with the ongoing e-registration exercise by the party.

Salisu, who stated this on Monday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the APC Ogun Central Senatorial Caucus Meeting, held at the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, residence of the National Leader of the party and former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, expressed satisfaction with the success the e-registration exercise has recorded so far.

The senator noted that the exercise would help in linking membership data with the National Identification Number (NIN) and voter registration, which, according to him, would help ensure that the party’s database reflects actual voters who will participate in forthcoming elections.

Salisu, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, observed that, unlike the past manual registration process, the exercise is now fully digital, pointing out tha,t beyond organising party membership, the e-registration also reflects technological advancement.

He, however, noted that with the high level of interest and the steady inflow of new members, it is difficult for the party to set an accurate numerical target at this stage.

“At the moment, we do not have a fixed numerical target. Unlike the past manual registration process, this exercise is now fully digital. Beyond organising party membership, it also reflects technological advancement. Given the high level of interest and the steady inflow of new members, it is difficult to set an accurate target at this stage.

“What is encouraging, however, is the progress made so far. For example, one local government area out of six in Ogun Central has already recorded about 15,000 registered members. If you extrapolate that figure across the 20 local governments of the state, you can appreciate the scale of growth. The process is still ongoing, and by the time it is concluded, it will be evident that the APC is firmly positioned as the dominant party not only in the Ogun Central Senatorial District, but Ogun State.

“Our broader objective is to ensure that, at a minimum, party membership reaches at least 50–51 per cent of the registered voters in the state. This does not even account for sympathisers who may be unable to register for various reasons. Importantly, linking membership data with NIN and voter registration helps ensure that our database reflects actual voters who will participate on election day,” the senator stated.

On the APC Ogun Central Senatorial District Caucus Meeting, Salisu said the meeting was specifically convened to achieve three major objectives.

According to him, the meeting aimed to encourage the general populace to participate actively in the ongoing INEC voter registration exercise in order to strengthen and expand the voters’ database across the Central District.

He added that the meeting was also to assess the progress made so far in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise and to identify challenges, particularly those affecting rural communities.

“Thirdly, the meeting allowed me to give an account of my stewardship over the last two and a half years. This includes highlighting visible achievements in infrastructure development within the district, as well as my legislative activities and contributions in the Red Chamber.

“I am particularly pleased with the large turnout of participants from across the local communities. Membership attendance was largely drawn in line with constitutional provisions for the Ogun Central Caucus, but we also expanded participation to include stakeholders who may not currently hold formal positions. This reflects our commitment to inclusiveness.

“Overall, this was a unity meeting designed to provide feedback, strengthen cohesion, and energise the Ogun Central Caucus. I am extremely pleased with the enthusiasm shown, especially regarding both INEC registration and APC membership registration,” Shuaib submitted.

While urging members of the party to remain united and committed, he charged them to continue to mobilise people to register with INEC and to enrol as APC members.

“We must also continue to support the president and the reforms being implemented – reforms which initially posed challenges but are now yielding visible results.

“We should also continue to support the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, which is working to ensure the well-being of the people of the state in general and the Ogun Central District in particular,” the senator stated.