THE registration exercise the All Progressives Congress embarked upon would be a defining point for the party, if the people realise the importance of the power they have been given, and use it.

In some political parties, membership cards are issued after an applicant, usually sponsored by a registered member, has been screened. Membership is never automatic and issuance of membership cards and registration numbers could be delayed.

APC’s is different. At various points, which tally with polling points for elections the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts, people register and get their cards on the spot. Within minutes, they indicate their willingness to be members by giving personal details that are entered into an electronic system. The membership cards are issued complete with their passport pictures in place.

Whether in urban Nigeria, where electronic systems are more established, or in the rural areas, the same procedures are being applied in the exercise.

The APC registration has opened people’s eyes to the robust possibilities of political party membership. More importantly, if the registration results in internal democracy within the party, it could be the first vital step towards eliminating godfathers from politics.

Democracy is the people’s government by the people. The salient ingredient of the people’s participation in politics has been ignored for too long. They are involved only at elections when politicians canvass their votes.

The importance of political parties in a democracy is constitutionally enshrined. Candidates must have political party platforms to contest for elections at local, state, and federal levels in Nigeria. For years, parties have chosen their candidates as they willed. Selection, rather than election, is their preferred method.

Would party founders, owners, and godfathers have the same rights as members, the bulk of who would be those registered on the streets?

What would happen to the privileges of godfathers, like their long-established right to decide who contests for office? If APC changes, it would have made a major political shift to inclusiveness. It would be a beneficiary of the bliss and blisters of that decision.

Membership registration would address several issues. A member becomes a subscriber to the party with rights and obligations. The member is expected to contribute to the organisation and running of the party. The setting being democratic, major decisions would be through voting with the voice of the majority counting.

APC’s move is laudable and worthy of imitation by the other political parties, however, the place of party members would be judged during the coming contests for offices.

We would also want to caution that party membership should not become a guise for victimising some Nigerians who may decide to associate differently. It is their right also.