The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the alleged threat by the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, directing residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) to leave the area council.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED described the reported remark as “reckless, provocative and dangerous,” warning that it raises serious concerns about political intolerance, abuse of public office, violation of citizens’ rights and the safety of opposition supporters.
CHRICED said the chairman was heard in a publicly circulating video declaring, “It’s either you are doing APC or leave the Area Council,” while also vowing not to tolerate residents who “work against” the ruling party.
The organisation said such a statement was unacceptable from an elected public official who has a constitutional responsibility to serve every resident of Kuje regardless of political affiliation.
It stressed that Kuje Area Council is not the private property of any political party, arguing that no Nigerian should be forced to choose between supporting a particular political party and exercising the constitutional right to live peacefully in any part of the country.
CHRICED said the alleged statement could have serious constitutional and legal implications, citing Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
It noted that Section 40 guarantees freedom of association, including the right of citizens to support political parties of their choice, while Section 41 guarantees freedom of movement and the right to reside in any part of Nigeria.
The organisation also pointed to Section 42, which prohibits discrimination on grounds including political opinion.
CHRICED further cited Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises threats, intimidation or the use of force to compel political support, adding that violations could attract fines or imprisonment.
The organisation argued that the alleged comments made by the Kuje chairman fell within the kind of conduct the law was designed to prevent.
It also linked the Kuje controversy to what it described as a growing pattern of inflammatory political rhetoric by political leaders across the country.
CHRICED cited alleged comments by Edo State Governor Okpebholo threatening opposition members not to enter the state without his permission, similar remarks attributed to the Governor of Benue State, and a comment by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting that Osun State could have been “captured” if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had deployed him.
The organisation also referenced a viral video involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi in Osun State, which it said was interpreted as inciting violence against members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to CHRICED, the incidents raise questions about the response of the APC leadership to inflammatory statements made by members and political figures associated with the party.
The organisation accused the APC leadership of maintaining what it described as a “troubling silence,” warning that failure to condemn such remarks could create the impression that political intimidation is tolerated.
“This silence is dangerous. It signals tolerance for political intimidation and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions,” CHRICED said.
It warned that the consequences of inflammatory political rhetoric were not merely theoretical, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
CHRICED said 29 Nigerians reportedly lost their lives in 73 election-related violent incidents ahead of the Osun election, stressing that political leaders must understand that reckless statements could escalate into actual violence.
The organisation also warned against a culture in which politicians make controversial statements, subsequently deny them and face no meaningful consequences.
According to CHRICED, such a pattern creates an environment of impunity and encourages other political actors to believe they can threaten or intimidate citizens without facing accountability.
It said the Kuje incident should therefore not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that telling residents to support a particular political party or leave their community amounts to a threat to peaceful coexistence and democratic participation.
CHRICED also expressed concern over the effectiveness of political peace accords, arguing that such agreements would become meaningless if they remained ceremonial documents signed for cameras while political parties and their supporters continued to issue inflammatory threats.
The organisation called on candidates and party leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their political structures and immediately condemn statements capable of provoking violence or intimidating citizens.
With Nigeria entering the buildup to the 2027 general elections, CHRICED urged security and electoral authorities to take immediate steps to prevent the escalation of political tensions.
It called on 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 any other applicable law.
The organisation further urged the authorities to take appropriate legal action if wrongdoing was established, stressing that local government chairmen do not enjoy constitutional immunity.
CHRICED also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to publicly condemn the alleged statement and make it clear that membership or support for the party is not a condition for residence, access to public services or peaceful existence in any part of Nigeria.
The group demanded that Shekwolo withdraw the statement, apologise to Kuje residents and reaffirm their constitutional right to support any political party of their choice.
It also urged INEC, security agencies, the National Peace Committee and political parties to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring inflammatory political speech and ensure that breaches of political peace commitments attract consequences.
CHRICED said Nigerians must be able to participate in political activities without fear of eviction, intimidation or violence, insisting that political competition should be based on ideas, policies and votes rather than threats, exclusion and coercion.
The organisation warned that failure by security agencies to investigate the incident and take appropriate action could send a dangerous message ahead of 2027 that ruling-party officials are beyond accountability and can intimidate citizens without consequences.
“CHRICED urges authorities to act now—before political rhetoric becomes political violence. The time to prevent electoral violence is before citizens are attacked, not after,” the organisation said.