ADC alleges coercion of civil servants in APC e-registration drive

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over reports that civil servants and government workers in several states are being pressured to register for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of the ruling party’s ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.

In a statement on Sunday, the opposition party said it had received what it described as consistent and widespread reports suggesting that public servants were being compelled to register for the APC under threats linked to job security, career progression or access to livelihoods.

The ADC described the alleged practice as unacceptable and warned that compelling citizens to join a political party amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights.

According to the party, freedom of thought, conscience and association are guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be abridged by any government or political organisation.

The party argued that the APC’s e-registration exercise was increasingly resembling coercion rather than voluntary political participation, noting that genuine party support should not require pressure or intimidation.

It also warned that the development could undermine the neutrality and professionalism of the civil service, which it said is expected to remain non-partisan and loyal to the state rather than to any political party.

The ADC said turning civil servants into what it described as partisan hostages risks eroding public trust in governance and weakening institutional integrity.

The party further questioned the political value of any membership database compiled through coercion, arguing that inflated figures do not necessarily translate into electoral support.

“A digital register does not translate to genuine political support. Databases do not vote; citizens do,” the statement said.

The ADC called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, labour unions, civil society organisations and the international community, to pay attention to what it described as a potential abuse of power and possible violations of data protection and human rights.

It urged that public servants be allowed to exercise their political choices freely, without fear of or pressure from outside influences.