By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has formally flagged off the All Progressives Congress (APC) electronic membership registration exercise, describing it as critical to the growth, credibility and future planning of the ruling party.
The governor spoke on Monday during the flag-off of the APC e-registration training exercise held at the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) Hall in Akure.
He stressed that party members must fully appreciate both the challenges and the significance of the exercise, urging them to approach it with seriousness and commitment.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the e-registration initiative aligned with the long-standing vision of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the idea had been conceived even before Tinubu assumed office as President.
According to him, the exercise was not only vital to the APC as a political party but also to the President, who is the leader of the party.
He emphasised that the registration drive would help to build a credible and reliable database of party members, which would strengthen internal processes and improve planning.
He added that modern governance and political organisation are increasingly driven by information, education, skills and technology, stressing that political parties must also embrace technology to remain relevant and effective.
The governor explained that the exercise would promote fairness and equalisation, as all members would be registered within the same framework and timeframe.
He said he was personally taking the lead in the process to underscore its importance, while urging party members to mobilise others through influence and encouragement rather than coercion.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also called on the trainees to pay close attention during the training, describing the exercise as technology-driven and detail-oriented.
He noted that the registration had a defined timeline and would close on January 31, giving party officials just over a month to register as many members as possible across the state.
He explained that the trainees were selected from different wards, local governments and districts and were expected to cascade the training to others, adding that their selection reflected the party’s confidence in their ability to deliver.
He further urged party officials to ensure that all interested members, including new entrants and those previously registered manually, were captured before the deadline.
Addressing participants at the event, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-West, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, said the electronic registration exercise was crucial to strengthening the party’s structure, internal democracy and credibility ahead of future congresses and primary elections.
Kekemeke explained that the exercise was designed to achieve several objectives, including the creation of verifiable and credible membership data nationwide, the integration of new members as equal stakeholders in the party, the establishment of a reliable database for congresses and primary elections, and the promotion of regular and financial membership.
He disclosed that the exercise was being personally driven by President Bola Tinubu, with the full support of APC governors across the country, noting that the success of the registration largely depended on the commitment of governors in their respective states.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Legislative Matters and Party Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, said the APC embarked on the electronic registration exercise to build a credible, technology-driven database of party members nationwide.
Kolawole explained that the database would eliminate phantom entries, ensure accurate membership records and enhance transparency and accountability within the party.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for taking the lead in ensuring the success of the programme, noting that despite the short notice, the governor mobilised the necessary resources and approvals to make the training possible.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; local government chairmen; the Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; political appointees; top government functionaries; and other party stakeholders.
