•Shekwolo and Amnesty logo
The Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over a statement in which he clearly threatened to force residents out of the council if they refused to support or vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
The rights organisation described the chairman’s remarks as a “call to violence” and a direct attack on citizens’ freedom of association, political choice and liberty, reports Daily Independent.
Amnesty International made its position known in a statement shared on its X handle yesterday, following the circulation of a video showing Shekwolo warning residents against opposing the APC.
In the video, the council chairman boldly said: “Is either you’re doing APC or leave the Area Council. I am not hiding it at all at all, with confidence I am saying it.”
He added: “You know why, I cannot have minister and president doing for us what they’re doing and on the day of election you said you want to match me, I will not agree. Is either you’re with us or you leave.”
The remarks have triggered concerns over the safety of residents and the prospect of political intimidation as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Amnesty International said no public official has the authority to make a person’s right to live in a particular part of Nigeria dependent on political affiliation.
“No one has the right to make living in a place in Nigeria tied to joining or voting for one political party,” the organisation said.
It called on the police and other security agencies to immediately intervene and prevent any attempt to use violence or intimidation against residents because of their political choices.
“The police and other security agencies must immediately halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices,” Amnesty said.
The organisation further described Shekwolo as “a danger to society” over what it characterised as threats against residents who may refuse to support the APC.
According to Amnesty, any attempt to unleash violence against residents who do not support the ruling party could have consequences beyond Kuje and put lives at risk.
“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,” it said.
The rights group insisted that citizens must be allowed to freely determine their political allegiance without fear of eviction, violence, harassment or other forms of reprisal.
“People’s right to political choices must be respected and upheld,” Amnesty International said.
The controversy comes as Nigeria’s political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already set the electoral process in motion and published its timetable for the elections. The commission’s current official schedule lists the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
INEC has repeatedly urged political parties, candidates, supporters and voters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral cycle and stressed that the success of the elections is a collective responsibility involving political actors, security agencies, civil society and citizens.
The commission has also warned that the electoral process must remain peaceful, inclusive and reflective of the will of Nigerian voters.
The Kuje controversy therefore comes at a particularly sensitive period, with political mobilisation, party activities and preparations for the 2027 polls already intensifying across the country.
Shekwolo’s comments have also raised questions about the use of political power at the grassroots level and whether residents could be subjected to pressure to support a particular political party.
Amnesty International’s intervention adds to longstanding concerns about political intimidation and violence in Nigeria’s electoral environment, where threats and coercion can discourage citizens from freely exercising their constitutional rights.
The organisation urged relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and INEC to act on the matter.
