The All Progressives Congress, APC, means serious business. As part of strategies to maintain its hold on Lagos and probably wrestle the presidency from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, come 2015, the eggheads of Lagos APC hope to register at least four million members. The population of Lagos is estimated to be about 10 million, even though APC claims it is upwards of 20 million.

Joe Igbokwe, publicity secretary of the party, said it had embarked on sensitisation of its followers across the 587 councils to actualise the plan. The registration exercise, according to Igbowe, is the first step in the party’s journey to future elections. “The race to 2015 has begun. Our target is the presidency. If you have been complaining of bad leadership, this is the time to join the vanguard of change by registering as a member of the APC and be prepared to vote and defend your vote,” he explained.

The exercise is said to be hitch-free so far. However, there have been complaints that traders in various markets were forced to register or face the prospects of been expelled from the markets.

The registration, which is holding mainly within school premises, is also said to have disrupted activities in many schools in Lagos. Babatunde Fashola, governor of Lagos, registered at a primary school in Surulere, where activities came to a standstill for hours even after he had left.