Amnesty International has condemned Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo over remarks allegedly threatening residents who refuse to support or vote for the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement on X, the rights group said Shekwolo’s reported declaration that residents who would not vote for the APC should leave Kuje Area Council amounted to a call to violence and an attack on freedom of association and political choice.
Amnesty International said no public official has the right to make continued residence in any part of Nigeria conditional on membership or support for a particular political party.
The organisation called on the police and other security agencies to immediately intervene and prevent any attempt to use violence or intimidation against residents because of their political choices.
Amnesty described Shekwolo’s alleged threat as dangerous and said he should be held accountable for remarks that could put lives at risk and deepen political tensions in the area.
In a video circulated on social media, Shekwolo appeared to say that residents in his area council must either support the APC or face consequences, while citing what he described as projects being carried out by the minister and president.
The chairman also appeared to question why residents who benefited from government projects would refuse to support the APC during elections.
Amnesty said political choices are a fundamental right and must be respected, warning that threats against people who support other parties could have wider consequences for public safety and democratic participation.
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