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ActionAid Nigeria has condemned remarks attributed to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, allegedly directing residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.The organisation described the remarks as disturbing and incompatible with democratic governance, warning that political intimidation, exclusion and coercion must not be allowed to become normalised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by Dr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, the organisation said an Area Council belongs to all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations or choices.
Mamedu said it was unacceptable for an elected public official to suggest that citizens must support a particular political party to continue living in an area under his administration.
He said, “Public office must never become an instrument for political intimidation, exclusion or coercion.”
The ActionAid Nigeria Country Director also questioned whether law-enforcement agencies would respond similarly if comparable statements were made by opposition political figures, stressing that institutions must apply the law consistently, regardless of political affiliation.
He cited the recent controversy involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East Senatorial District, who was invited by the police following a viral video in which he was alleged to have made comments capable of inciting violence against supporters of the Accord Party.
Although Fadahunsi reportedly maintained that his comments were distorted and that he was advocating defeating the opposition through votes, Mamedu said the incident underscored the need for zero tolerance for threatening political rhetoric.
According to him, the emergence of similar incidents within weeks points to a growing culture of political intimidation that could threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.
“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.
ActionAid Nigeria said Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom to associate and make their own political choices, while also citing Section 40 of the Constitution and Section 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 as legal safeguards against compelled political association and threats intended to influence political choices.
The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to investigate the Kuje chairman’s remarks and determine whether any laws were breached.
It 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.
ActionAid Nigeria further urged political leaders to focus their 2027 campaigns on policies, ideas, records and solutions to the challenges facing Nigerians rather than fear, threats and political coercion.
The organisation stressed that law-enforcement agencies must demonstrate through their actions that all Nigerians are subject to the same standard of accountability, irrespective of 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,” ActionAid Nigeria said.