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, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over an alleged directive that residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) should leave the council.
The call followed the circulation of a video purportedly showing Shekwolo telling residents: “It’s either you are doing APC or leave the Area Council,” while warning that he would not tolerate those who “work against” the ruling party.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described the reported statement as “reckless, provocative and dangerous,” warning that it could heighten political tension and threaten the rights and safety of opposition supporters.
Zikirullahi, in a statement issued on Friday, said an elected local government chairman had a constitutional responsibility to serve every resident, irrespective of political affiliation, stressing that Kuje Area Council could not be treated as the property of any political party.
“No Nigerian should be forced to choose between supporting a particular political party and enjoying their constitutional right to live peacefully in any community,” he said.
The CHRICED Executive Director further argued that the reported statement raises fundamental concerns about political intolerance, abuse of public office and citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of association, movement and protection from discrimination based on political opinion.
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He cited Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which respectively protect freedom of association, the right to reside in any part of Nigeria and freedom from discrimination on specified grounds, including political opinion.
Zikirullahi also said the development should be viewed against the broader background of concerns over inflammatory political rhetoric by public officials as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
According to him, similar controversies have recently involved political leaders, including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Benue State governor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as well as Senator Francis Fadahunsi, whose comments ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election generated widespread criticism.
“When politicians make inflammatory statements, deny them later, and face no meaningful accountability, it breeds impunity,” Zikirullahi said.
He warned that such rhetoric could have serious consequences in a country already grappling with electoral violence, noting that reports indicated that 29 people were killed in 73 election-related violent incidents ahead of the Osun governorship election.
The CHRICED Executive Director said political leaders therefore needed to understand that statements made during political campaigns or gatherings could escalate into violence if not checked.
“The consequences of such rhetoric are not theoretical. In an environment where political tensions are already high, careless statements can escalate into real violence,” he said.
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Zikirullahi also criticised what he described as the growing ineffectiveness of political peace accords, saying such agreements should not become “ceremonial documents signed for cameras” while party officials and supporters continue to issue threats.
He urged political parties and their leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their members and structures by immediately condemning inflammatory statements.
Against this backdrop, CHRICED 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 alleged remarks and determine whether they violate the Constitution, Electoral Act or any other applicable law.
“Local government chairmen do not enjoy constitutional immunity,” Zikirullahi stressed, urging the authorities to take appropriate legal action if wrongdoing is established.
The organisation also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to publicly condemn the alleged statement and affirm that membership or support for the party is not a condition for residence, access to public services or peaceful existence anywhere in Nigeria.
CHRICED further urged Shekwolo to withdraw the statement, apologise to residents and reaffirm their right to support any political party of their choice.
Zikirullahi said INEC, security agencies, the National Peace Committee and political parties must strengthen mechanisms for monitoring inflammatory political speech and ensure that breaches of political peace commitments attract consequences.
He warned that failure to act could send a dangerous message ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Nigerians must be able to participate in politics without fear of eviction, intimidation or violence. Political competition should be about ideas, policies and votes—not threats, exclusion or coercion,” he said.
Zikirullahi urged the authorities to act before inflammatory political rhetoric translates into violence.
“The time to prevent electoral violence is before citizens are attacked, not after,” he added.