By Dr. Buchi Nnaji

Politics ultimately succeeds or fails at the level of the people. This truth is sharply underscored by the ongoing APC e-registration exercise in Enugu State, which despite the fanfare that accompanied the defection of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and other top political figures has exposed a widening disconnect between elite political realignments and grassroots political conviction.

Available registration statistics paint a sobering picture. Across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State, a total of 40,631 members have been registered so far. In a state where the APC leadership publicly set a target running into millions, this figure represents not just a shortfall, but a political warning signal that should not be ignored.

A closer look at the distribution is even more instructive. Udi Local Government leads with 7,128 registrants (17.5%), followed by Enugu East with 4,953 (12.2%) and Enugu North with 3,175 (7.8%). At the lower end of the scale are Oji-River with 1,121 (2.8%) and Igbo-Eze North with 1,025 (2.5%). Most striking, however, is Nkanu East, the local government of the APC leader and sitting governor, which recorded only 1,425 registrants - just 3.5% of the total. In political terms, symbolism matters, and this number is symbolic in a way the party would rather not confront.

For a state that remained firmly under PDP control from 1999 until the dramatic political cross-carpeting of 2025, the low turnout suggests that party loyalty in Enugu has deeper sociological and emotional roots than many strategists anticipated. Defections at the top may alter the colour of government, but they do not automatically rewire the political psychology of the electorate.

Several errors appear evident in the process so far. First is the mistaken assumption that power equals persuasion. The belief that control of state machinery or alignment with the federal centre would naturally translate into mass APC registration ignores the lived experience of voters who have identified with one political platform for over two decades. Political identity, once formed, does not dissolve overnight.

Second is the communication deficit. The APC’s value proposition to the ordinary Enugu voter remains vague. Beyond the oft-repeated argument of “connecting to the centre,” little effort has been made to clearly articulate what concrete, everyday benefits APC membership offers that differ meaningfully from the PDP experience many voters already know. Where ideology is thin, mobilisation becomes difficult.

Third is the counterproductive perception of coercion. Allegations - whether proven or not, that civil servants are being pressured to register or risk their jobs have done more harm than good. Politics driven by fear rarely produces loyalty; it more often breeds quiet resistance. In an era of digital mobilisation and political awareness, coercion is not only unethical, it is strategically foolish.

Fourth is the issue of internal party cohesion. The sudden influx of defectors has reportedly created tension between legacy APC members and new entrants. A party that appears unsettled internally cannot convincingly sell unity and hope to the wider electorate.

What then must be done?

The first solution lies in rebuilding politics from the bottom up. APC must shift from elite-driven symbolism to community-level engagement. Town hall meetings, ward-based dialogues and genuine listening exercises - not scripted rallies, are essential to rebuilding trust.

Second, the party must clearly define its Enugu agenda. Voters need to understand how APC governance will tangibly improve livelihoods: jobs, infrastructure, education, healthcare and security. Vague promises of federal alignment are no longer sufficient in a politically mature environment.

Third, voluntarism must replace force. Registration should be driven by conviction, not compulsion. The APC should publicly distance itself from any form of intimidation and instead encourage open political competition. Confidence attracts followers; fear repels them.

Fourth, internal reconciliation is critical. A house divided against itself cannot recruit outsiders. The APC leadership must consciously integrate old and new members, reward loyalty, and present a united front that inspires confidence.

Finally, patience is required. Political reorientation is a process, not an event. Enugu’s long PDP history cannot be erased by a single defection cycle. Sustainable growth for the APC will depend on consistency, credibility and character over time.

The current e-registration figures of 40,631 members across 17 LGAs should not be dismissed as mere statistics. They are a referendum on strategy, messaging and political culture. If properly read, they offer the APC in Enugu a rare opportunity for introspection and course correction. If ignored, they may become an early indicator of deeper electoral challenges ahead.

In politics, numbers speak. The question now is whether the APC in Enugu is prepared to listen.