The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, has come under heavy criticism after reportedly telling residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) to leave the area council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shekwolo made the controversial remarks in a video that surfaced online on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during an engagement with members of the FCT Youth Network, a grassroots youth coalition operating across the six area councils of the FCT.
In the video, the council chairman was heard declaring that residents in Kuje must either support the APC or leave the area council.
“I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all.”
Shekwolo reportedly linked his position to development projects being carried out under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He questioned why residents who, according to him, had benefited from government interventions would choose to support another political party during the 2027 elections.
The remarks have generated widespread reactions, with critics accusing the chairman of attempting to intimidate residents and interfere with their constitutional right to freely choose their political affiliations and candidates.
Amnesty International Condemns Remarks
Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the statement, describing it as a direct attack on residents’ freedom of association and political choice.
The organisation said no public official has the authority to make a person’s right to live in a particular part of Nigeria dependent on membership of or support for a political party.
Amnesty further warned that such remarks could create tension and potentially encourage political violence, urging security agencies to intervene and prevent any attempt to intimidate residents over their political choices.
The rights organisation also called for the Kuje chairman to be held accountable over what it described as threats against residents who may choose not to support the APC.
Residents React
The controversy has also generated anger among some Kuje residents and opposition political figures.
Reports indicate that residents who spoke on the issue rejected the idea that political affiliation could determine who is allowed to live in Kuje, insisting that every Nigerian has the right to choose a political party without intimidation.
The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The official campaign period for presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates began on August 19, 2026, according to the electoral timetable.
Shekwolo’s Political Background
Shekwolo contested the Kuje Area Council chairmanship election on the APC platform and reportedly secured 17,269 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Zakwoyi Danlami, who polled 15,824 votes.
The latest controversy has therefore placed the council chairman at the centre of a growing debate over political freedom, the conduct expected of elected officials and the need to protect voters from intimidation as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections.
For many observers, the incident highlights the importance of ensuring that political competition remains peaceful and that residents are free to support any candidate or political party of their choice without fear of being threatened or forced to leave their communities.
