Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing mounting scrutiny following allegations that citizens’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) were collected during so-called “empowerment schemes” and allegedly used to register them as party members without their consent.
The claim was made by a Nigerian netizen identified as Harry, who shared the allegation on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sparking widespread debate and concern over data privacy, political consent, and the handling of sensitive personal information.
Alleged Evidence Shared Online
In his post, Harry attached a screenshot purportedly taken from the APC’s e-membership registration application, displaying a “duplicated NIN” error message. According to him, the error suggests that his NIN had already been used within the APC’s membership system—despite his assertion that he never authorized such registration.
The netizen claims the incident confirms unauthorized access to and use of personal data, allegedly obtained during previous empowerment or welfare-related outreach programs.
While the screenshot has circulated widely online, Global Reporters has not independently verified the authenticity of the image or the claims.
Context: APC’s Nationwide E-Membership Drive
The allegations come at a sensitive time, as the APC recently launched a nationwide e-membership registration and update exercise on January 5, 2026. The digital drive requires participants to submit:
*Their National Identification Number (NIN), and
*Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) details,
to update and authenticate the party’s membership database.
Party officials have described the initiative as part of efforts to modernize party records, eliminate ghost members, and strengthen internal democracy ahead of future elections.
Public Concerns Over Consent and Data Protection
The allegations have ignited fresh concerns among Nigerians about:
*Informed consent in political participation
*Potential misuse of biometric and identity data
“Compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act
*The ethics of linking social welfare programs to political databases
Civil society commentators online argue that if proven, the practice would represent a serious breach of privacy rights and could undermine public trust in both political institutions and national identity systems.
No Official Response Yet
As of the time of publication, the APC has not issued an official statement responding to the specific allegation. It also remains unclear whether the party’s e-membership platform is directly linked to data obtained from empowerment initiatives or whether the reported duplication error could result from unrelated database issues.
Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has not commented on the matter.
Experts Urge Caution and Investigation
Digital rights advocates and legal experts say the allegations, if substantiated, could carry significant legal and political consequences, stressing the need for:
*Independent investigation
*Transparency from political parties
*Clear separation between government programs and party activities
They also warn against drawing definitive conclusions until credible verification and official clarification are provided.
A Developing Story
The allegations have continued to trend across social media platforms, with calls for accountability growing louder as Nigerians demand clarity on how their personal data is collected, stored, and used in political processes.
This is a developing story, and Global Reporters will continue to monitor the situation and seek responses from the APC, relevant government agencies, and data protection authorities as more information emerges.
