Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the online membership registration portal of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been flooded with fake identities.
He also taunted the opposition platform over its clamour for real-time transmission of election results.
On March 1, ADC commenced online membership registration across the country ahead of the 2027 general election, in adherence to the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast attended by federal ministers and hosted by President Bola Tinubu, Shettima said the party’s membership registration has been overwhelmed with fictitious names.
“The same Alliance for Democratic Confusion that was adamant that we must have electronic transmission of votes opened their portal for membership registration, and it was overwhelmed by an avalanche of fake names and fictitious identities,” he said.
Shettima accused the opposition of spreading misinformation.
“You and I know that, as Winston Churchill once said, ‘truth is so precious that it must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies’. Lies, lies, lies — that is what is driving the opposition in this country,” he said.
The vice-president also urged political officeholders to defend the policies and achievements of the government as electioneering season approaches.
“Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the political season is around the corner. We are all political actors. We have to sell our government. We have to stand behind our administration,” he said.
Shettima added that the ruling party is now in a stronger political position than it was during the 2023 elections.
“Politically speaking, we are in a more comfortable position now than in 2023,” he said.
The vice-president also dismissed claims that governors were being pressured to join the ruling party.
“Nobody is coercing the governors of Rivers, Delta, Kano or any other state to join the APC. It is of their own volition because they have seen the light,” he added.
ADC membership registration and revalidation exercise
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Vice-President Kashim Shettima