By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over his alleged directive that residents opposed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should leave the area council.
The commission described the chairman’s statement, contained in a video circulating online, as an “intimidation” and a direct assault on the Constitution and democratic principles.
In the video, Shekwolo was heard saying: “I have said in my area council that it’s either you are for the APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all… It’s either you are with us or you are against us.”
He reportedly added that he would not accept opposition from residents during elections, citing the activities of the President and the FCT Minister.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, said the statement was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy, stressing that every Nigerian has the right to belong to any political party of their choice.
Ojukwu said Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of association, including the right to belong to a political party, while Section 41 guarantees freedom of movement and the right to reside in any part of Nigeria.
He also cited Section 42, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of political opinion, arguing that no chairman, governor or president has the power to banish a citizen from a community because of their political affiliation or views.
According to him, any pronouncement seeking to make political allegiance a condition for residency is unconstitutional, null and void.
The commission further alleged that the chairman’s utterances could constitute offences under relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the Penal Code and the Cybercrimes Act.
It specifically cited Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act, which prohibit threats and intimidation intended to influence voters, Section 416 of the Penal Code on inciting disturbance of public peace, and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act concerning the circulation of statements capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
Ojukwu warned that inflammatory rhetoric by public officials could deepen political division and expose citizens who hold opposing views to harassment and violence.
“When a public officer draws a line between ‘us and them’ and threatens those who disagree, he is weaponizing his office and fueling the ember of violence and hatred against non-APC members,” he said.
The NHRC executive secretary stressed that Shekwolo, having sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution, was expected to serve all residents of Kuje without discrimination.
He also warned that development projects being undertaken by the Federal Government or the FCT Administration must not be used to demand political loyalty or undermine citizens’ constitutional rights.
Consequently, the commission called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately arrest and prosecute the Kuje chairman over the alleged threats.
It also urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the matter and establish protective measures against harassment, profiling or disenfranchisement of Kuje residents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NHRC further called on the APC leadership and the FCT Administration to publicly dissociate themselves from the statement and affirm that political affiliation cannot be a condition for residency or access to public services.
Ojukwu reassured Kuje residents that their rights were protected under the law, stressing that Nigerians do not need to belong to the APC to live in Kuje or access public infrastructure.
He urged residents who experience threats or intimidation to contact the NHRC through its toll-free line, 6472, or visit the nearest commission office in the FCT.
