Shettima mocks ADC over ‘fake’ entries on digital membership portal

Vice President Kashim Shettima has mocked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over what he described as widespread fake identities on the party’s online membership registration platform.

Shettima also took a swipe at the opposition party over its long-standing demand for real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The ADC had on March 1 launched a nationwide online membership registration ahead of the 2027 general election, in compliance with the amended Electoral Act. The party also directed its existing members to update and revalidate their details in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, the exercise has reportedly been plagued by several irregularities, including fake names, incorrect National Identification Numbers and mismatched photographs, raising concerns about the credibility of the process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party said it had corrected the anomalies observed on its digital membership registration platform following widespread reports of fake entries.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interfaith breaking of fast attended by federal ministers and hosted by President Bola Tinubu, Shettima said the party’s portal had been overwhelmed by fictitious registrations.

“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.

The vice president accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation about the policies of the current administration.

“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.

Shettima also urged political officeholders to defend the policies and achievements of the administration as the country approaches another election cycle.

“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 added.

The former governor of Borno State said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is now in a stronger political position than it was during the 2023 general election.

“Politically speaking, we are in a more comfortable position now than in 2023,” he said.

Shettima further dismissed claims that state governors were being pressured to defect to the APC.

“Nobody is coercing the governors of Rivers State, Delta State, Kano State or any other state to join the APC. It is of their own volition because they have seen the light,” he added.