Amnesty International Condemns Threats to Expel Non-APC Voters In Kuje by Council Chairman, Calls for Security Action
The Amnesty International has condemned the threat issued against non-members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Chairman of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mt. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo.
The council chairman in a trending social media video where he threatened that anyone that would not vote the APC in the 2027 general election should leave the area council. In the video seen by FACTSHEET, the council boss is seen saying, “I’m the saying that in my area, its either you are doing APC or leave the area council…”
Reacting to the video, Amnesty International in a statement shared on its social media handles on Tuesday described the threats of the chairman as an affront on the constitution of Nigeria, all tenets of democracy and freedom of association as guaranteed in the constitution.
The statement reads:
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the chairman Kuje Area Council FCT Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo for threatening to chase out from the area anybody who will not join or vote for APC. 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.
“No one has the right to make living in a place in Nigeria tied to voting for one political party. The police and other security agencies must halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices.
“The chairman Kuje Area Council FCT Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo is a danger to society and must be held to account for threatening violence on those who may not vote for APC.
“Government has obligation to ensure that, before and after all elections, human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled, as guaranteed under international human rights law and standards and the country’s own Constitution.”
Several other civil society organisations and human right activists have also condemned the threats saying that the 2027 elections must be guided by law in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.