By Our Reporter
Chairman, Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has expressed readiness of the party to receiving more defectors as it prepares to commence its e-registration exercise in January 2026.
Ojelabi made this known, while speaking with newsmen at the party secretariat in Lagos, saying that the party was fully ready for the e-registration of both old and new members.
The party chairman, who commended the media for sustained support, especially during the last local government elections, disclosed that the exercise would commence on January 5, 2026, across the state’s 245 wards and end on Jan. 31.
"We want to build a comprehensive and credible database of our members. Before the next general elections, we want to know the actual number of our members,” he said.
According to him, the party has continued to grow bigger, saying that many people were indicating interest in joining the party, while some existing members were yet to obtain authentic APC membership cards.
"Our party has continued to grow bigger. We are receiving more members every day, and we are still open to receive more people," he said.
Speaking further, Ojelabi said that, all things being equal, the party would begin its congresses in February 2026, starting from the ward level to local government, state, zonal levels and culminating in a national convention.
The chairman explained that prospective members would register at their wards with biodata, including name, age, address, polling unit, National Identification Number (NIN) and Permanent Voter Card (PVC), but quickly noted that those without PVCs could still register but would be regarded as temporary members.
Ojelabi called for prayers and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.
On the constitution of local government cabinets, the APC chieftain said the process would be concluded soon.
On the complaints over delays in the refund of expression of Interest and Nomination forms from the last local government elections, Ojelabi said affected aspirants would begin receiving their refunds from next week.
On allegations of imposition, Ojelabi debunked such, saying such claims often came from individuals unfamiliar with the party’s ethos.
This was just as he explained that the party’s constitution recognised consensus, which some people wrongly described as imposition.
“People cry imposition when it does not favour them. In APC, we operate by rules. We do not impose candidates,” he said.
Besides, Ojelabi explained that some aspirants who failed to meet required conditions also alleged imposition, assuring that the forthcoming e-registration would further clarify genuine party membership.
Speaking on activities of local government chairmen, Ojelabi said council bosses were performing well, noting that the party had constituted an assessment committee to monitor their activities.
“It has become a healthy competition among them. Funds released to councils must be used for development. We are monitoring and asking questions,” he said.
The APC chairman said chairmen had also been encouraged to reside within their council areas to promptly address local challenges.
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