Emamuzo Iboma
The United Action for Democracy (UAD) has raised alarm over the ongoing political unrest within the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a threat to internal democracy and a reflection of a broader national crisis.
Speaking at a press briefing, Comrade Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, General Secretary of UAD, emphasised that screening political candidates, though traditionally an internal affair, has now become a public concern due to widespread protests by party members.
“It has become clear that what we are witnessing is no longer just an internal matter. Members of these parties are taking to the streets, openly challenging the imposition of candidates and the lack of transparency. As stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy, we have a duty to speak out and present our perspective on the situation,” Ajayi stated.
He also called for investigations into the alleged irregularities, noting that some police officers were present at the centers where these screenings and protests occurred. “This is a matter of national interest, and Nigerians need to understand the state of our democracy,” he added.
Ajayi said that despite last year’s landmark Supreme Court judgment affirming LG autonomy, governors have continued to suppress democratic participation at the grassroots level. He singled out LASIEC—the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission—for aiding and abetting what he called “massive irregularities” in multiple LGAs, including Alimosho, Lagos Island, Agege, and several LCDAs.
“In all these areas, legitimate party members were disenfranchised. Candidates were imposed without proper voting or collation, and LASIEC officials were complicit in falsifying ballot counts,” he stated.
UAD also alleged that observers, journalists, and party agents were harassed or barred from collation centres. Particularly shocking was the revelation that a murder suspect and known land grabber was imposed as an APC candidate in Agbado-Okeodo, drawing fierce condemnation from the group.
Calling for urgent action, UAD demanded:
Immediate suspension and arrest of the LASIEC Chairman for electoral malpractice.
An independent probe and prosecution of all officials involved.
International sanctions, including visa bans for those implicated.
A nationwide resistance against what it described as “rogue elections” on the horizon.
Ajayi warned that failure to act decisively could encourage similar subversions during the 2027 general elections, undermining Nigeria’s democratic future.
“We stand firm in our resolve to expose, challenge, and resist all forms of anti-democratic manipulation. The so-called local government democracy is a ruse. We must rise before it becomes the norm,” he concluded.
The UAD has called on all pro-democracy forces within Nigeria and internationally to join in the fight to restore democratic integrity at the grassroots.
Also speaking at the event, Comrade Wale Balogun, former National General Secretary of UAD, painted a grim picture of internal party dynamics, likening them to a predatory system.
“There’s a saying—fish feed on fish. The internal wrangling within the APC concerns all of us, not just because it’s the ruling party in Lagos State, but because it holds power at the national level. The same practices we see here will be replicated nationwide,” Balogun warned.
He recalled the legacy of UAD in the struggle against military rule, saying the group had always risen lawfully to defend democratic ideals and would continue to do so.
According to Balogun, the ongoing agitation in Lagos is fueled by public rejection of candidates imposed from outside local constituencies, a move he described as a “slap on local government autonomy.”
“It’s disheartening that local delegates are being sidelined and that politicians are being imposed without community input. If this continues unchecked, it could set a dangerous precedent for the upcoming July 12th local government elections,” he cautioned.
UAD called for urgent reforms to restore transparency and credibility within Nigeria’s political parties, warning that the erosion of internal democracy could threaten the very foundation of the country’s democratic governance.
