The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate arrest of the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over his reported declaration that residents must vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council area. This is just as Shekwolo backpedalled, saying his remarks were taken out of context. The opposition party […]
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate arrest of the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over his reported declaration that residents must vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council area.
This is just as Shekwolo backpedalled, saying his remarks were taken out of context.
The opposition party described the statement as “a threat of forced displacement” that breaches Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the Constitution.
The area council chairman in a video circulating on social media was heard saying: “I have said in my area council, it’s either you’re doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you.”
Reacting to the development, in a statement, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, linked the remark to APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who was questioned and released without charge after threatening opposition voters during the Osun governorship election.
ADC while tracing the comments to President Bola Tinubu’s 29 July comment that “all is fair in politics,” demanded that the President personally clarifies his statement and call his party to order.
The ADC also urged the National Peace Committee to speak now, warning that if it waits until 2027, it could find itself issuing condolences, instead of appeals.
It called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services to arrest Mr. Shekwolo and charge him accordingly, “Not to invite him. Not to “engage” him. Not to invite him for a chat and release him before the ink on the headline is dry. Arrest him, charge him, and let a court of law decide.”
ADC reminded the Area council chairman of the arithmetic of his own mandate, saying that he was returned with 17,269 votes, against 15,824 for the PDP and 4,305 for APGA. Twenty thousand of the people he now threatens to evict did not vote for him — and he has a responsibility towards them as well.
Council chair backtracks on threat remarks
The Chairman of Kuje Area Council of the FCT Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, said his purported video of threatening to order any residents who did not vote for APC during the 2027 election would “leave Kuje Area Council” were taken by some individuals out of context.
Shekwolo, who addressed newsmen in the presence of some APC stakeholders and party stalwarts in his office on Wednesday, said his previous remarks were taken out of context and sensationalized across various news platforms and social media, creating a distorted narrative regarding his administration’s core values and official stance.
He emphasized that the meeting in question was focused strictly on administrative efficiency, local development, and community welfare, with no intention of alienating any residents.
He affirmed that he holds no authority to disenfranchise any resident or citizen of Kuje Area Council of their fundamental human rights.
He reiterated that his administration remains dedicated to equitable governance, community progress, and serving the best interests of all constituents regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, or religious beliefs.
The Chairman, while acknowledging the media as a critical pillar of democracy, urged journalists to uphold high professional standards by verifying the full context of statements prior to publication.
“At no point did I intend to cause disaffection, undermine any group, or promote policies that do not serve the best interest of our citizens. As our doors remain open for constructive feedback, dialogue, and accurate reporting.”he said.
However, cross section of residents of the council who spoke to our reporter while reacting over the chairman’s statement and described it as unfortunate.
They said the council chairman being the leader of every individual irrespective of political, ethnicity, religious and tribes should be seen treating everyone equally rather than threatening some individual that are not from the same political party with him.
“The only thing I would say is for the chairman to admit his flaws and apologise. Let him keep pride aside and apologize as heaven will not fall, we are all humans and we are bound to erred, “ a resident Abiora Chinedu said.
Meanwhile, the Accord party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has condenmend the statement by the chairman of Kuje Area Council Hon Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo over video where he allegedly threatened residents that will not vote in 2027 election to leave the council.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, at the state Accord Party secretariat on Wednesday, while reacting to the chairman’s purported video, FCT Accord party chairman, Barr Vaniah Akanimoh Agbon described the chairman’s threat video as unacceptable and deeply troubling.
He said Kuje Area Council belongs to all residents and not a private property of any individual or political party, saying an elected public officer is sworn to serve every citizen regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or voting preference.
