The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and ActionAid Nigeria have condemned remarks attributed to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council of Abuja, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, in which he allegedly told residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the area council.
The two organisations described the comments as a threat to democratic values and warned against the growing normalisation of political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a video circulating online, Shekwolo was heard saying: “I have said in my area council that it’s either you are for the APC or you leave the area council. It’s either you are with us or you are against us,” while referring to the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA’s) development activities.
Reacting to the remarks in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, who called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the council chairman, described the statement as an intimidation of residents and a direct assault on the Constitution and democratic principles.
He cited Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which respectively protect freedom of association, freedom of movement and residence, and protection from discrimination on the basis of political opinion adding that, no public official has the authority to banish citizens from their community because of their political affiliation or views.
The NHRC also said the alleged remarks could constitute offences under relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the Penal Code and the Cybercrimes Act and called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the matter and introduce measures to protect Kuje residents from harassment, profiling or disenfranchisement ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also urged the APC leadership and the FCT Administration to publicly dissociate themselves from the remarks and reaffirm that political affiliation cannot be a condition for residency or access to public services.
Meanwhile, ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said the Kuje Area Council belongs to the people and not to any political party.
Mamedu said an elected council chairman has a responsibility to all residents, irrespective of whom they voted for or whether they belong to any political party.
“This is deeply concerning, if an elected council chairman openly tells citizens that they must support a political party to continue living in an area under his administration, we must ask what message this sends to citizens who support other political parties or choose not to support any political party at all,” he said.
He warned that public office must not become an instrument of political intimidation, exclusion or coercion.
ActionAid further linked the Kuje controversy to recent concerns over political rhetoric in Nigeria, citing allegations involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The organisation said the alleged incidents should not be treated as isolated political excesses, warning that repeated threats and intimidation could create a culture in which political coercion becomes normal.
“When, within a matter of weeks, we move from alleged threats against opposition supporters during an election in Osun to an elected chairman telling residents to support his political party or leave his council, we should be worried,” Mamedu said and called on law-enforcement agencies to apply the law consistently, regardless of the political affiliation or status of those accused of making threatening or inflammatory statements.
ActionAid also urged political parties, particularly the APC, to make clear to their elected officials and supporters that threats, intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric have no place in a democracy.
The organisation stressed that political leaders should campaign ahead of 2027 on their policies, records and solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than through fear or coercion.
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