By John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is facing growing scrutiny over its recently concluded membership registration and revalidation exercise ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election, following allegations of inducement and misuse of National Identification Numbers (NIN).
Findings indicate that the exercise, initiated nationwide by the APC national secretariat with deadlines for submission of completed registers, encountered challenges in Osun State.
Party insiders disclosed that the state chapter failed to meet submission deadlines on at least two occasions, raising concerns within the party’s national leadership.
Investigations revealed low turnout across several local government areas, with both prospective and existing members reportedly showing limited enthusiasm for the revalidation process.
Sources attributed the development to lingering internal discontent and defections that followed the party’s controversial governorship primaries.
According to sources familiar with the exercise, the requirement for registrants to provide valid NIN details—introduced to prevent inflation of membership figures—made manipulation difficult.
However, in a bid to meet revised timelines, party agents were accused of offering cash inducements of up to ₦10,000 to individuals willing to submit their names and NIN details.
Residents in some parts of the state alleged that APC agents moved around markets and densely populated areas, claiming the exercise was linked to a Federal Government empowerment programme.
The explanation reportedly triggered suspicion and resistance.
An eyewitness at Owode Market in Osogbo recounted an incident where an APC agent narrowly escaped being attacked by traders after failing to explain why money was being offered in exchange for NIN information.
“The women kept asking why a political party would pay them just to collect their NIN,” the eyewitness said.
Reacting to the development, the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party warned residents to remain vigilant and resist any attempt by political party agents to collect sensitive personal information.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Osun State Chairman of Accord, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, accused the APC of allegedly resorting to deceptive tactics after failing to gain public support through legitimate political engagement.
“No genuine political programme or membership exercise requires citizens to surrender sensitive personal data to party agents,” Akande said, urging residents to report such requests to relevant authorities.
He commended the people of Osun State for what he described as their vigilance and resilience, alleging that the same political forces that once withheld local government funds were now attempting to return with inducements to manipulate citizens.
“There is nothing the APC has not tried to undermine public support for the people-oriented administration of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke,” Akande added.
The Accord Party also called on security agencies and relevant institutions to closely monitor the situation and protect citizens from identity-related crimes.
However, the Osun State chapter of the APC has strongly dismissed the allegations, describing them as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by Mogaji Kola Olabisi, Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, the party said its recently concluded e-registration exercise was a “huge success” in Osun State, just as it was nationwide.
“The claim that the exercise flopped in Osun State is a figment of the imagination of political opponents. There was no target given to any APC chapter by the National Secretariat, and no funds were provided for any form of inducement,”.
The APC blamed the criticism on fear by opposition parties ahead of the August 8, 2026 election, insisting that Osun APC commenced the exercise later than some states but concluded it within the nationally approved timeframe.
The party expressed gratitude to its leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and other chieftains for their support, as well as ad-hoc staff across local governments.
“No amount of fabricated stories will prevent our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), from emerging victorious and returning the APC to the Bola Ige House, Abere,” the statement added.
