The All Progressives Congress’ claim that it has 13 million registered members and controls 31 state governorships has drawn attention to the role party structures, grassroots networks and voter mobilisation could play in Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, made the claims while receiving a pre-election fact-finding mission from the Economic Community of West African States at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Yilwatda said the ruling party’s membership database, network of elected officials and grassroots structures gave it an organisational advantage ahead of the elections. He also said the party had more than 261,000 executive members across its structures.

The claims have placed renewed focus on how political parties translate their organisational reach into voter engagement and electoral support.

A large membership base can provide parties with an extensive network for communicating campaign messages, organising activities and maintaining a presence at the ward and local government levels. Similarly, governors and other elected officials often form part of the broader political structures through which parties engage supporters.

However, membership figures and the number of elected officeholders do not automatically translate into votes. The effectiveness of party structures can depend on factors including voter turnout, candidate appeal, campaign organisation, public confidence and the ability to mobilise supporters on election day.

Yilwatda said the APC’s membership records and identification system were designed to support verification and provide a foundation for grassroots engagement, internal coordination and electoral planning. The party chairman also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to adhere to its electoral timetable and apply the rules equally to all political parties.

As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the strength of party organisations is likely to remain an important part of the political contest. The ability of parties to build active local networks, engage voters and organise effective campaigns could be as significant as the size of their claimed membership.

For now, Yilwatda’s figures remain claims made by the APC, and their eventual political significance will depend on how effectively the party and its rivals convert their respective structures and support bases into electoral participation.

The 2027 contest is therefore expected to test not only the numerical strength claimed by political parties, but also the depth, effectiveness and reach of their grassroots organisations.