In a move to resolve years of internal friction and data ambiguity, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially launched an electronic membership registration drive. The initiative, flagged off in January 2026, aims to build a verifiable database of at least 600,000 members, effectively “weeding out” ghost names that have historically plagued party registers.
Moving Beyond the “Ghost” Era
For years, membership registration in Rivers State has been a flashpoint for intra-party conflict, with rival camps often accusing one another of manipulating lists to favor specific factions. By transitioning to a digital-first platform, the party leadership, headed by Tony Okocha, seeks to sanitize the process and ensure that internal mobilization is based on human reality rather than inflated paperwork.
The NIMC Integration: Verifying the Human Element
A critical differentiator in this 2026 exercise is the collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Eric Nwibani, the State Secretary of the party, revealed that the registration system is integrated with the NIMC database.
“This time, we want to be sure that everyone registered is a human being,” Nwibani stated. By leveraging existing national identity data, the party ensures that:
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Accuracy: Duplicate or fraudulent entries are flagged in real-time.
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Inclusiveness: The barrier to entry is lowered for genuine supporters.
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Credibility: The final tally will be a “hard” number that can withstand judicial and electoral scrutiny.
Open Doors and Factional Unity
Tony Okocha, during the flag-off at the State Secretariat, emphasized that the portal is open to all residents of Rivers State without discrimination. This is a strategic olive branch extended to various factions, including the camp led by Emeka Beke. The directive to registrars is clear: provide free and unfettered access to all applicants, regardless of their past political affiliations or current internal leanings.
The Numbers Game: Competing with Lagos and Kano
The APC leadership in Rivers has set its sights on becoming a national heavyweight in terms of membership volume.
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The Grid: With 319 registration areas and 6,866 polling units, the party math is simple: registering just 100 people per polling unit would push the membership strength well beyond its current benchmarks.
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The Goal: To compete favorably with established APC strongholds like Lagos and Kano, positioning Rivers as the primary engine of the party in the South-South.
Conclusion: A Foundation for 2027
The e-registration exercise is more than just a census; it is a strategic repositioning. By creating a transparent, technology-driven administration, the Rivers APC is attempting to heal its internal fractures and present a united front. As the 2027 election cycle begins to appear on the horizon, a “clean” database of 600,000 verified members would provide the party with a potent mobilization tool and a significant psychological edge in the regional political landscape.
