Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday formally flagged off the All Progressives Congress (APC) electronic membership registration exercise, describing it as a crucial step toward strengthening the party’s growth, credibility and future planning.
The governor spoke at the flag-off of the APC e-registration training exercise held at the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) Hall, Akure, where he urged party members to take the exercise seriously and appreciate its significance.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the electronic registration initiative aligns with the long-standing vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the programme reflects the President’s commitment to building a modern, data-driven political party.
According to him, the exercise is not only vital to the APC but also to the President as the party’s national leader, stressing that accurate membership data would enhance planning, internal organisation and credibility.
“This exercise is very important, not just for our party, but also for the leader of our party, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said.
He urged party members to mobilise others through persuasion and influence rather than coercion, adding that the registration would ensure equality by capturing all members within the same framework and timeline.
Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the technology-driven exercise requires attention to detail, urging trainees to be diligent and committed during the process.
He emphasised that modern governance and organisation are driven by information, education, skills and ICT, which must also reflect in party administration.
The governor disclosed that the registration exercise would end on January 31, giving party officials about 33 days to register new members and revalidate those previously registered manually.
He added that trainees were selected from wards, local governments and districts to serve as trainers for others, expressing confidence in their capacity to deliver.
Speaking earlier, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South-West), Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, said the electronic registration exercise was critical to strengthening the party’s structure, internal democracy and credibility ahead of future congresses and primary elections.
Kekemeke said the exercise was designed to achieve multiple objectives, including building a verifiable and credible national membership database, integrating new members as equal stakeholders, supporting transparent congresses and primaries, and ensuring members become regular and financial participants in the party.
He revealed that the initiative is being driven by President Tinubu with the full support of APC governors nationwide, adding that governors are expected to ensure the success of the exercise in their respective states.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters and Party Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, said the APC embarked on the e-registration exercise to eliminate phantom membership, ensure accurate records and enhance transparency and accountability.
Kolawole commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for providing leadership and mobilising resources to ensure the success of the training despite short notice.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; local government chairmen; Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; political appointees and other top government officials.
