The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo, has walked back his controversial declaration that residents must support the All Progressives Congress or leave the council, saying he has no authority to deny any citizen fundamental rights on account of political affiliation.
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Shekwolo’s clarification came on Wednesday following widespread criticism of a viral video in which he was heard telling residents that they must support the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections or leave Kuje Area Council.
TheNigeriaLawyer had earlier reported that the council chairman made the remarks while addressing political supporters, prompting strong criticism from Amnesty International and members of the public.
In the video, Shekwolo had said: “I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you.”
He had justified his position by referring to development projects and interventions undertaken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The chairman suggested that residents who had benefited from such government interventions should not subsequently oppose the APC at the polls.
But following the backlash, Shekwolo said the comments were made during a meeting involving APC youths and loyalists and were not intended as an attempt to deprive residents of their political or constitutional rights.
According to him, the discussion was centred on administrative efficiency, community welfare and development within the council.
“You may recall that the event that led to the unfortunate incidents was a meeting with the APC party youths and loyalists,” Shekwolo said.
He acknowledged that his office as Executive Chairman did not empower him to determine which political party residents should support or to deny anyone their fundamental rights.
“And as the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, I have no right to disenfranchise any resident or citizen of their fundamental human rights in the council,” he said.
Shekwolo also sought to reassure residents that his administration would continue to serve everyone irrespective of party affiliation.
“Let me state unequivocally: our administration remains fully committed to inclusive governance, equity, and the total progress of every community in Kuje Area Council,” he said.
He denied intending to create political, ethnic or religious divisions and called on residents to work with his administration regardless of their political preferences.
“I urge the good people of Kuje Area Council and the general public, regardless of their political affiliation, religious or ethnic differences, to join hands with our administration to make Kuje the area council of our dreams,” he added.
The clarification comes after Amnesty International strongly criticised the original statement and called for accountability, warning that rhetoric capable of intimidating residents over their electoral choices could heighten political tension.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of opposition parties.
The Accord Party in the FCT on Wednesday called on the Inspector-General of Police and relevant security agencies to investigate the viral video, authenticate it and determine whether the statements attributed to Shekwolo violated any law.
FCT Chairman of the Accord Party, Vaniah Agbon, said Kuje Area Council was not the private property of any individual or political organisation and maintained that lawful residents could not be compelled to support the ruling party.
The party argued that residents possess constitutional rights to political participation, freedom of movement and residence and should not face intimidation because they support opposition parties.
It called on security agencies to establish the context and authenticity of the recording, invite the council chairman for questioning where necessary and assess whether his remarks presented any security implications ahead of the 2027 elections.
Accord also urged authorities to protect residents from political harassment, intimidation or victimisation.
Shekwolo’s clarification appears to retreat substantially from the position captured in the viral recording, particularly his acknowledgement that he possesses no authority to disenfranchise or discriminate against residents based on their political choices.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional democratic system, citizens are entitled to associate with political parties of their choice and vote for preferred candidates without coercion from public officials.
Government services and public infrastructure are similarly provided through public resources and are not legally conditioned on support for the political party controlling a particular tier of government.
Shekwolo emerged as Chairman of Kuje Area Council on the platform of the APC during the February 2026 FCT Area Council elections.
He polled 17,269 votes to defeat Zakwoyi Danlami of the Peoples Democratic Party, who received 15,824 votes.
His initial remarks therefore attracted heightened attention as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With his latest statement, Shekwolo has now maintained that whatever political message he intended to communicate to APC supporters should not be interpreted as a threat to the constitutional rights of residents who support other political parties.
The controversy may nevertheless continue, particularly following demands for security agencies to examine the original video and determine whether the remarks crossed the boundary between partisan mobilisation and unlawful political intimidation.
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