ActionAid Nigeria has condemned remarks attributed to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, allegedly telling residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.

The organisation described the remarks as disturbing and incompatible with democratic governance, warning that political intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric must not become normalised ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, ActionAid Nigeria said an Area Council belongs to its residents and not to any political party.

The organisation stressed that an elected council chairman has a responsibility to all residents, regardless of their political affiliations or voting choices.

Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said public office must not be used as an instrument of political intimidation, exclusion or coercion.

“This is deeply concerning. If an elected council chairman openly tells citizens that they must support a political party to continue living in an area under his administration, we must ask what message this sends to citizens who support other political parties or choose not to support any political party at all,” Mamedu said.

“Public office must never become an instrument for political intimidation, exclusion or coercion,” he added.

Mamedu also questioned whether law enforcement and security agencies would respond with the same urgency if similar remarks were made by opposition politicians.

He cited the recent controversy surrounding comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East Senatorial District, which led to his invitation by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over allegations of making threatening, inciting and intimidating statements.

Fadahunsi, however, reportedly maintained that his remarks had been distorted and that he was advocating defeating the opposition through votes.

ActionAid Nigeria said it had condemned violent political rhetoric during the Osun controversy, stressing that such conduct should not be tolerated regardless of the political party or individual involved.

According to Mamedu, the reported Kuje incident, coming shortly after the Osun controversy, should serve as a warning against the emergence of a culture of political intimidation in the country.

“When, within a matter of weeks, we move from alleged threats against opposition supporters during an election in Osun to an elected chairman telling residents to support his political party or leave his council, we should be worried,” he said.

“These are no longer statements we can afford to treat as isolated political excesses. A dangerous culture of political intimidation is at risk of becoming normalised in Nigeria,” he added.

ActionAid Nigeria said the trend must be halted before the 2027 elections, noting that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of association and political choice.

The organisation also cited Section 40 of the Constitution, which protects the right to freedom of association, and Section 93 of the Electoral Act 2022, which it said prohibits threats intended to compel citizens to support or refrain from supporting a political party or candidate.

It called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other relevant institutions to investigate the reported remarks and determine whether any laws had been breached.

ActionAid Nigeria also urged political parties, particularly the APC, to make it clear to their elected officials and supporters that threats, intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric have no place in a democratic society.

The organisation called on political leaders preparing for the 2027 elections to focus their campaigns on ideas, records, policies and practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians.

It further urged law enforcement agencies to demonstrate through their actions that all citizens and political actors would be held to the same standard of accountability, regardless of their political affiliation, public office or proximity to power.

“Political choice is a right, not a debt owed to those in power,” ActionAid Nigeria said.

It added that no Nigerian should have to choose between exercising their political freedom and living peacefully or accessing public services in their own country. (LEADERSHIP)