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A Nigerian netizen has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly collecting citizens’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) during so-called “empowerment” programmes and using the data to register participants as party members without their consent.
Parallelfacts News reports that the allegation was made by a social media user identified as Harry on X (formerly Twitter). According to him, individuals who attended APC-linked empowerment events were asked to submit their NINs under the pretext of receiving support or benefits, only to later discover they had been enrolled into the ruling party’s membership database.
To support his claim, Harry shared a screenshot purportedly taken from the APC e-registration platform showing a “duplicated NIN” error. He argued that the error suggests unauthorised handling or reuse of citizens’ personal data.
Allegations Surface Amid APC E-Membership Drive
The claims come at a time when the APC is conducting a nationwide electronic membership registration exercise, which was officially launched on January 5, 2026. The exercise requires participants to submit sensitive personal information, including their NIN and Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) details, as part of efforts to update and digitise the party’s membership database.
While party officials have described the initiative as a move to strengthen internal democracy and prepare for future party activities, critics argue that the process lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent abuse.
Reports From Other States
Similar allegations have reportedly emerged from parts of the country, including Delta State, where some citizens claim they were registered as APC members without their knowledge or explicit consent.
These reports have heightened concerns about data privacy, consent, and the potential misuse of national identity information for partisan political purposes.
Analysts Warn of Broader Implications
Political analysts warn that if the allegations are substantiated, such practices could significantly erode public trust in political party systems and worsen Nigeria’s already polarised political environment.
