Danjuma Shekwolo, chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sparked controversy after telling residents they must support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.
Shekwolo made the remarks in a video shared on X, saying he would not tolerate opposition from residents who, according to him, had benefited from interventions by President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
“I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you,” Shekwolo said.
“I cannot have the minister and the president doing for us what they are doing, and on the day of the election you now come and say you want to match me. I will not agree. It is either you are with us.”
Amnesty International condemns remarks
The comments have drawn condemnation from Amnesty International Nigeria, which said political support could not be made a condition for residents to continue living in Kuje.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the organisation described Shekwolo’s remarks as an attack on residents’ freedom of association and political choice and called on security agencies to intervene.
“Authoritatively saying that those who will not vote APC must leave Kuje area council is a call to violence and direct attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons,” Amnesty said.
The organisation maintained that no public official had the right to determine where Nigerians could live based on their political affiliation or voting preference.
“No one has the right to make a living in a place in Nigeria tied to joining or voting for one political party. The police and other security agencies must immediately halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices,” it said.
Amnesty further accused the council chairman of threatening residents who may not support the APC and called for accountability.
“This plan to unleash violence on those who are not supporting APC in Kuje area council will have wider impact and will put lives at risk. People’s right to political choices must be respected and upheld,” the organisation said.
Shekwolo, an APC candidate, won the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election in February with 17,269 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Zakwoyi Danlami, who polled 15,824 votes.
