…Warns against conspiracy to disenfranchise Nigerians
The Strategic Alliance for National Development (STAND), on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, declared that the administrative and judicial bottlenecks surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) internal affairs have created a state of dangerous uncertainty in the polity.
STAND expressed serious concern over what it described as “growing evidence that suggests a coordinated effort and triple-threat” conspiracy involving elements of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to keep the ADC and every other opposition party in a state of perpetual litigation and structural disarray.
The organisation which is a non-partisan coalition dedicated to the advancement of democratic values, social justice, and the promotion of transparent governance in Nigeria, called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to as a matter of national importance, immediately resolve the lingering legal and leadership disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and every other opposition party.
STAND warned that failure to act decisively would amount to a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise millions of patriotic Nigerians and undermine the integrity of nation’s democratic process.
These were contained in a statement by the duo of Yinka Sotade, and Boluwaji Fajuyigbe Ezekiel, National Secretary and Publicity Secretary respectively of STAND in which they noted with concern that Nigeria is witnessing what appears to be a calculated attempt to use legal technicalities to sideline a viable alternative for the Nigerian people.
The statement further said; “When the electoral umpire and the chief law officer of the federation remain silent while a major political party is hamstrung by conflicting court orders, it creates a vacuum that only serves the interests of the status quo”.
STAND highlights the risk of mass disenfranchisement, stressing that the ADC and opposition in a multiparty represents the aspirations of millions of youths, professionals, and grassroots voters.
It warned that any scenario that prevents any political party from fielding candidates or participating fully in elections is a direct assault on the right of the citizens to choose their leaders.
While referencing judicial weaponization, STAND observed with dismay what it termed as “conflicting signals” coming from the courts, which have stalled the ADC’s ability to function.
It further said; The Attorney General must ensure that the machinery of justice is not being used as a tool for political exclusion.
“INEC’s Neutrality at Stake: INEC must rise above the fray and provide a clear, lawful roadmap for the ADC and other political opposition party’s rather than allowing any party to be swallowed by administrative silence,” it stressed.
The organisation also warned that gross injustice in face of a seemingly tailored justiciable system is a recipe for anarchy, stressing that Nigerians will not sit idly by while their democratic options are narrowed through backroom deals and judicial maneuvers.
STAND also said; “The shadow of the ruling party’s influence over this process is too prominent to ignore, and the silence of the regulatory bodies is becoming a growing and evident complicity.
“We demand that the Attorney General and the INEC Chairman convene an immediate stakeholders’ session to clarify the legal standing of the ADC and ensure that no Nigerian voter is robbed of their voice due to engineered internal crises.
“These should extend to all political parties as soon as possible. The stability of our nation depends on a fair, inclusive, and transparent electoral landscape,” it said.
STAND assured that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to mobilize civil society to protect the sanctity of the ballot.
