The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied responsibility for political party membership figures recently circulated by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, stating clearly that the statistics did not emanate from the electoral body.
INEC’s clarification followed the widespread circulation of the figures on social media and other online platforms after Yilwatda spoke during an interview on ARISE News, where he presented what he described as verified membership data for major political parties in Nigeria.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, distanced the commission from the figures and emphasised that the information was not issued by the electoral umpire.
“Dear esteemed media colleagues, please note that this is certainly not from INEC. Thanks,” Oketola stated in a message circulated to journalists.
The clarification has sparked fresh conversations over the accuracy and authenticity of political party membership records in Nigeria, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
During the television interview, Yilwatda had claimed that the ruling APC currently possesses 12.9 million verified registered members across the country, making it the largest political party in Nigeria by membership strength.
The APC chairman also released figures for other opposition parties, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approximately 2.4 million registered members.
According to him, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had about 1.6 million members, while the Labour Party (LP) recorded roughly 1.3 million registered members nationwide.
He further claimed that the National Democratic Coalition had about 700,000 members.
The figures immediately generated reactions online, with political observers, party supporters, and analysts questioning the source and credibility of the data.
Many social media users initially believed the figures originated from INEC, considering the commission’s constitutional role in regulating political parties and overseeing electoral processes in Nigeria.
However, INEC’s swift disclaimer appears aimed at preventing any impression that the commission officially validated or endorsed the membership statistics presented during the interview.
Under Nigeria’s Electoral Act, political parties are required to maintain membership registers and submit relevant records to INEC when necessary. However, the commission does not routinely publish verified national membership figures for political parties in the public domain unless tied to specific regulatory or legal requirements.
Political analysts note that party membership figures in Nigeria are often difficult to independently verify due to irregular membership updates, multiple registrations, inactive members, and the absence of a centralised public verification system.
The controversy also comes at a time when political parties are intensifying preparations ahead of the 2027 elections, with several parties seeking to expand their structures and attract new members nationwide.
The APC, PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and other emerging political movements have all continued aggressive recruitment drives in recent months as alliances, defections, and internal realignments reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
Observers believe the public debate surrounding party membership strength may influence perceptions of political dominance, grassroots popularity, and electoral viability ahead of future elections.
Despite the controversy, INEC has maintained that it remains neutral and committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities without interference or political bias.
The electoral commission has repeatedly urged political parties and public officials to avoid spreading misleading information capable of creating confusion among Nigerians regarding electoral processes and party administration.
As reactions continue to trail the disputed figures, attention is now likely to shift toward whether the political parties involved will independently clarify or substantiate their claimed membership numbers.
