The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party has announced plans to commence a nationwide membership drive on Monday as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Saturday, the party said the exercise was aimed at expanding its support base, strengthening grassroots structures, and mobilising new members across the country ahead of the polls.
On February 13, the Independent National Electoral Commission initially fixed the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls were slated for March 6, 2027.
But the Senate amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, shortening the mandatory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, thereby enabling INEC to revise the timetable.
Subsequently, INEC issued an updated schedule on Thursday, shifting the presidential and National Assembly elections to 16 January 2027, and the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections to 6 February 2027.
According to the revised timetable, political parties are required to submit a comprehensive digital membership register by 2 April 2026—a condition some argue could effectively exclude opposition parties from participating.
In reaction to the revised timetable, the Turaki-led PDP National Working Committee announced that it had authorised the launch of digital membership registration in all wards across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The statement read partly, ‘This exercise will begin on Monday, 2 March 2026, and will last for three weeks. The essence of this exercise is to compile the digital membership register in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires all political parties to submit the digital register of their members to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
‘Registration will hold every day (except Sundays) at all Ward, Chapter, and State offices of the Party (special cases will be handled at the National Secretariat) throughout the registration period. A special committee headed by the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Daka Shan, has been set up to oversee the exercise and handle any complaints that may emanate therefrom.
‘Members and the general public are encouraged to visit the nearest PDP office within their ward to register’.
