By Stella Odueme
ActionAid Nigeria has condemned remarks attributed to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, that residents must support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.
The organisation described the remarks as disturbing and incompatible with democratic governance, stressing that the Area Council belongs to the people and not to any political party.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, warning that public office must not be used as an instrument of political intimidation, exclusion or coercion.
Mamedu said an elected council chairman had a responsibility to all residents, regardless of their political affiliation or voting choices.
“This is deeply concerning. If an elected council chairman openly tells citizens that they must support a political party to continue living in an area under his administration, we must ask what message this sends to citizens who support other political parties or choose not to support any political party at all,” he said.
He also questioned the consistency of law-enforcement institutions in responding to allegedly inflammatory political statements, arguing that individuals associated with the ruling party should be held to the same standards as opposition figures.
ActionAid Nigeria further expressed concern that the Kuje incident was part of a broader pattern of political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation recalled the recent controversy involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over remarks in a viral video that sparked allegations that he had called for violence against members of the Accord Party.
The Nigeria Police subsequently invited Fadahunsi for questioning over statements considered threatening, inciting and intimidating, although the senator maintained that his remarks had been distorted and that he was advocating the defeat of the opposition through votes.
Mamedu said the developments should not be treated as isolated political incidents.
“When, within a matter of weeks, we move from alleged threats against opposition supporters during an election in Osun to an elected chairman telling residents to support his political party or leave his council, we should be worried,” he said.
He warned that Nigeria risked normalising a dangerous culture of political intimidation if such remarks were not addressed.
ActionAid Nigeria noted that the Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of association and political choice, while Section 40 protects the right to freely associate.
The organisation also cited Section 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits threats intended to compel citizens to support or refrain from supporting a political party or candidate.
It therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other relevant institutions to investigate the remarks attributed to the Kuje chairman and determine whether any law was breached.
ActionAid Nigeria also urged political parties, particularly the APC, to make it clear to their elected officials and supporters that threats, intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric have no place in Nigeria’s democracy.
The organisation further called on political leaders to focus their campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections on ideas, policies, records and solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians rather than threats, fear or political coercion.
It urged law-enforcement institutions to demonstrate through their actions that all individuals would be held to the same standard of accountability, irrespective of their political party, office or proximity to power.
“Political choice is a right, not a debt owed to those in power. No Nigerian should ever have to choose between their political freedom and their right to live peacefully and access public services in their own country,” the statement said.
ActionAid condemns Kuje Chairman’s ‘support APC or leave’ remarks
