Ngah Ikechukwu Acrossy: The Great Flip: Labour Party’s Turn on Voter Registration. (Hypocrisy at its finest)

Not long ago, the SAINT LABOUR PARTY strongly criticized the approach used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during its e-registration exercise. At the time, the APC required members and supporters to provide details such as Permanent Voter Card (PVC) numbers, NIN, and other forms of identification. Labour Party LEADERS, Stakeholders and supporters argued that such requirements could be used to manipulate electoral processes ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections, warning that it might discourage participation and undermine democratic inclusion.

Those criticisms were loud and widely circulated. The narrative presented then was that demanding such sensitive voter information was unnecessary and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s democratic culture.

However, recent developments suggest a different direction. In its current mobilization and registration efforts, the Labour Party has begun asking prospective members and supporters to provide their voter card numbers as part of its own registration process.

This shift naturally raises questions. If the same practice was previously described as problematic when used by another party, what has changed now that it is being adopted?

For many observers, this moment highlights an important lesson in politics: criticisms should be grounded in enduring principles, not temporary political advantage. When parties oppose certain strategies, citizens expect that opposition to remain consistent unless clearly justified.

Supporters of the new approach may argue that political realities require strong voter databases and structured mobilization strategies. In modern electoral politics, identifying actual voters helps parties organize their supporters, improve participation, and prepare effectively for elections.

Yet the key issue remains credibility. Political parties strengthen public trust when their actions align with their previous positions. When there is a sudden shift, it becomes necessary to explain the reasoning behind the change in order to maintain confidence among supporters and the broader electorate.

The situation in Abia State therefore offers an opportunity for reflection. Rather than engaging in political double standards, parties should focus on transparent systems that encourage voter participation while protecting democratic integrity.

Ultimately, Nigerian voters are increasingly attentive. They remember past statements, compare them with present actions, and expect political actors to demonstrate consistency, accountability, and sincerity.

As preparations gradually build toward the 2027 elections, the conversation should not merely be about which party is ahead in mobilization. It should be about how political parties uphold the principles they claim to defend.

In the end, credibility in politics is not built by criticism alone—it is built by living up to the standards one demands of others.

Ngah Ikechukwu Acrossy, an APC faithful, writes from Abia state, Nigeria.