Amnesty, Yiaga Africa slam Abuja council chair over ‘vote-APC-or-leave’ comment

Samuel Shekwolo, the chairman of Kuje Area Council in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations for allegedly threatening to expel residents who refuse to join or vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

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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.

Amnesty International and Yiaga Africa strongly denounced Shekwolo's remarks, which circulated on social media via a video. Amnesty International described the alleged threat as "a call to violence and direct attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons," emphasizing that no public official can make residency conditional on political affiliation.

In the video, Shekwolo, who was elected on the APC platform, stated, "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." He justified his stance by referencing the developmental initiatives of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Kuje. Shekwolo argued that residents benefiting from these interventions should not vote against the APC.

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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.

Both Amnesty International and Yiaga Africa urged the police and other security agencies to intervene immediately to prevent any violence against residents based on their political choices. Amnesty International labeled Shekwolo "a danger to society" and called for accountability, warning that such threats could have wider consequences and endanger lives.

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No one has the right to make living in a place in Nigeria tied to joining or voting for one political party.

The incident highlights concerns over the use of political rhetoric as activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. The organizations stressed that forcing political allegiance and threatening displacement based on voting preferences undermines democratic principles and fundamental human rights.

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The police and other security agencies must immediately halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices.