Amnesty International and Yiaga Africa have condemned the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo, over alleged threats to eject residents who refuse to join or vote for the All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Amnesty, in a post on X, described the alleged threat as a call to violence and an attack on freedom of association and the liberty of persons, adding that no public official has the right to make residence in any part of Nigeria conditional on membership of or support for a political party.
Shekwolo, who was elected Kuje Area Council chairman on the APC platform in the February 2026 FCT Area Council election, in a video circulating on social media on Tuesday, warned residents who do not support the party to leave the council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council chairman said his position was informed by what he described as the developmental efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Kuje.
He said residents could not benefit from the administration’s interventions and subsequently vote against the APC at the 2027 elections.
“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.
“You know why: I cannot have the 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,” he said.
The remark sparked concerns over the use of political rhetoric by public officials as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting, Amnesty International said, “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.
“No one has the right to make living in a place in Nigeria tied to joining or voting for one political party.”
It urged the police and other security agencies to immediately intervene and prevent any attempt to use violence 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,” it said.
Amnesty International further described Shekwolo as “a danger to society” and called for him to be held accountable for allegedly threatening violence against residents who might not vote for the APC.
