Human rights commission demands arrest of Abuja council chair over 'vote APC or relocate' threat

Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Samuel Shekwolo, the Chairperson of Kuje Area Council. The demand follows a video showing Shekwolo telling residents that they must vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 elections or relocate from the council area.

NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu described Shekwolo's statement as an "intimidation and direct assault on the Constitution and on democratic principles." The commission urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and INEC to investigate the matter and implement protective measures for residents against harassment and disenfranchisement ahead of the elections.

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In view of the foregoing, the Commission is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo by the Nigeria Police Force.

In the video, Shekwolo stated, "I have said in my area council, it’s either you’re doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you. With confidence, I am saying it. You know why? I cannot have the minister and president doing for us what they are doing. On the day of election, you now come and say you want to match me. I will not agree. It is either you are with us, or you are not here."

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I have said in my area council, it’s either you’re doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you. With confidence, I am saying it. You know why? I cannot have the minister and president doing for us what they are doing. On the day of election, you now come and say you want to match me. I will not agree. It is either you are with us, or you are not here.

The NHRC emphasized that no leader has the right to banish citizens based on their political affiliations, asserting that every Nigerian has the right to vote for any party and reside anywhere in the country. The commission also noted that such utterances could constitute offenses under Nigerian law, including sections of the Electoral Act 2022, the Penal Code, and the Cybercrimes Act 2015, which prohibit threats, intimidation, and inciting public disturbance.

Ojukwu lamented that such rhetoric from a public officer "weaponises his office and fuels the embers of violence and hatred against non-APC members." He called on the APC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to publicly disassociate themselves from Shekwolo's remarks, warning that development projects should not be used to coerce political loyalty.

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When a public officer draws a line between “us and them” and threatens those who disagree, he is weaponising his office and fueling the embers of violence and hatred against non-APC members.