Amnesty International has condemned Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, over a threat he made against residents who refuse to join or vote for the All Progressives Congress.
The rights group said the chairman’s remark is a direct threat to lives and an attack on freedom of association.
In a video shared by Amnesty on Facebook, Shekwolo was heard saying, “I’ve said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I’m not hiding it at all.”
Amnesty International described the statement as a call to violence.
The group said no public official has the power to make living in any part of Nigeria conditional on loyalty to a single political party.
“Authoritatively saying that those who will not vote APC must leave Kuje Area Council is a direct threat to lives and an attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons,” the organisation stated.
Amnesty branded Shekwolo “a danger to society” and demanded that he be held accountable for threatening violence against people based on their political choices.
The group called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to act without delay.
It warned that failure to stop any plan to use force against residents over their political choices could put lives at serious risk.
“The police and other security agencies must halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices,” Amnesty said.
The organisation stressed that the right to political choice is a fundamental freedom that must be protected by all arms of government.
It warned that allowing a sitting council chairman to make such threats without consequence would embolden others to suppress political freedoms elsewhere.
Amnesty also reminded the government of its obligation to ensure human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled before and after elections, as guaranteed under international human rights law and the Nigerian Constitution.
Shekwolo has defended his position in comments circulating alongside the video, citing development projects executed by President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Kuje as reasons residents should back the APC.
“It’s either you are with us or you are against us,” he said, adding that he would resist any opposition to the party within the council ahead of the 2027 elections.
Shekwolo won the Kuje chairmanship on the APC platform in the February 2026 FCT area council election, polling 17,269 votes.
Kuje is one of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
The APC won five of the six FCT area council chairmanships in that election, while the PDP won one.
The video has circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage among Nigerians who say public officials must not use their positions to intimidate citizens.
Many have called on the FCT Administration to investigate the chairman and take disciplinary action.
Amnesty International has raised similar concerns about political intimidation elsewhere in the country.
The group recently petitioned for accountability from Senator Francis Fadahunsi over remarks it described as incitement to violence ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The condemnation adds pressure on authorities in the FCT to respond to the allegations against Shekwolo and clarify what action, if any, will be taken against him.