By Victor Itodo Abuh
THE RESOURCE Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called on security and electoral authorities to investigate the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over an alleged threat directing residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) to leave the area council.
CHRICED made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, on Friday.
The organisation said a video circulating publicly showed the chairman declaring: “It’s either you are doing APC or leave the Area Council,” while also saying he would not tolerate residents who work against the party.
The rights organisation described the statement as “reckless, provocative and dangerous,” warning that it could fuel political intolerance and put opposition supporters at risk. It said the chairman, as an elected official, was constitutionally required to serve all residents regardless of their political affiliation.
CHRICED argued that Kuje Area Council could not be treated as the property of a political party, stressing that Nigerians have the right to live peacefully in any part of the country and support a political party of their choice.
The organisation cited Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which it said guarantee freedom of association, the right to reside anywhere in Nigeria and protection from discrimination based on political opinion.
It also referenced Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises threats, intimidation or the use of force to compel political support.
CHRICED said the Kuje incident was part of what it described as a growing pattern of inflammatory political statements by public officials. It cited recent remarks attributed to Edo State Governor Okpebholo, Benue State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.
The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as the silence of APC leadership in response to such remarks, warning that failure to hold political actors accountable could encourage further intimidation.
According to CHRICED, the consequences of inflammatory political rhetoric are particularly concerning ahead of the 2027 general elections. It cited reported figures of 29 deaths in 73 election-related violent incidents ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The organisation urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities to investigate the Kuje chairman’s statement and determine whether it violated the Constitution, Electoral Act or other laws.
It also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC national leadership to condemn the statement and make clear that political affiliation should not determine a citizen’s right to reside in Kuje or access public services.
CHRICED further urged Shekwolo to withdraw the statement, apologise to residents and reaffirm their right to support any political party of their choice.
It also called for stronger monitoring of inflammatory political speech by INEC, security agencies, the National Peace Committee and political parties, arguing that violations of political peace commitments should attract consequences.
“Political competition should be about ideas, policies and votes—not threats, exclusion or coercion,” CHRICED said, urging authorities to act before inflammatory rhetoric escalates into political violence.
