Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo,
Amnesty International has called on Nigerian security agencies to investigate and hold the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, accountable over comments in which he allegedly threatened residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 elections.
The human rights organisation, in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, said residents of Kuje would continue to live in fear if no action was taken against the council chairman over the controversial remarks.
According to Amnesty International, “Residents of Kuje area council FCT will continue to live in fear as no effort has been made by security agencies to hold the council chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo to account, for threatening to unleash violence on anybody who would not vote for APC. His desperate attempt to make voting for APC as the sole condition for living peacefully and exercising civic rights in Kuje is unlawful.”
The organisation further urged the authorities to ensure that politicians who incite or threaten violence are brought to justice, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
It stated: “Ahead of 2027 elections and beyond, it is essential that the Nigerian authorities ensure that any politician or other leaders, of any political party or grouping, responsible for carrying out or inciting or threatening politically, religiously or ethnically-motivated violence or human rights abuses must be held to account.”
The latest intervention by Amnesty International follows widespread public criticism of comments attributed to Shekwolo in a viral video, where he declared that residents of Kuje must support the APC or leave the area council.
In the video, the council chairman defended his position by citing what he described as the developmental projects undertaken in the area by President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He said: “I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council; I’m not hiding that. With confidence, I’m saying it.”
Shekwolo also stated: “You know why, I cannot have President and Minister doing what they are doing and on the day of election, you will want to match me. It’s either you are with us, or you are out.”
The remarks sparked concerns among civil society organisations and members of the public, with critics arguing that they could intimidate voters and undermine the constitutional rights of residents to freely associate with political parties of their choice.
At the time Amnesty International issued its statement, there had been no public announcement by security agencies indicating that an investigation had been launched into the chairman’s comments.
The controversy comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify across the country, with calls growing for authorities to ensure a peaceful electoral environment and protect citizens’ fundamental rights regardless of their political affiliation.
