A claim that 10 million Nigerians registered with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) within 24 hours of high-profile defections has sparked widespread skepticism across the country’s political landscape.
The assertion was made by Adefolaseye Adebayo, a member of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, who said the surge followed the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday.
According to Adebayo, the mass registration reflected an unprecedented wave of public support for the new political alignment. However, no official figures from the NDC have been released to substantiate the claim, and some accounts associated with the party have reportedly distanced themselves from the numbers, describing them as inaccurate.
Sources close to Obi indicated that his departure from the ADC was influenced by ongoing legal challenges within the party, which he believed could hinder his political objectives. The former presidential candidate is said to be focusing on addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges without being encumbered by protracted court disputes.
The claim of millions of new registrations within such a short timeframe has nonetheless drawn criticism from analysts and observers, who question its feasibility. Experts point to logistical constraints, including Nigeria’s internet penetration rate and the infrastructure required to process such a high volume of registrations in a single day.
Supporters of Obi, however, argue that the reported surge—whether precise or not—underscores his enduring popularity and the momentum generated by his political moves. They maintain that his influence, particularly among younger and urban voters, could translate into significant backing for the NDC.
Skeptics remain unconvinced, urging caution and calling for verifiable data from official party sources. “Extraordinary claims require clear evidence,” one political analyst noted, adding that transparent figures would be necessary to confirm any major shift in party membership.
As reactions continue to pour in, the controversy highlights both the enthusiasm and the scrutiny surrounding recent political developments, with attention now turning to whether the NDC will release verified registration data to clarify the situation.
