WATCH: “Join APC or Leave” — Shekwolo in His Own Words

“It’s either you’re doing APC, or you leave the area council. I’m not hiding it at all; I’m saying it with confidence,” Shekwolo said.

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TRENDING VIDEO: “In my area council, It’s either you’re doing APC, or you leave the area council. I’m not hiding it at all; I’m saying it with confidence” — Samuel Shekwolo, Kuje area council chairman pic.twitter.com/Hv8tjS07cM

— TheCable (@thecableng) August 25, 2026

Consequently, the statement has triggered swift backlash from human rights groups, social media users, and political observers, who argue that the chairman’s position threatens the constitutional right to political association. Nigerians took to various platforms to condemn the remarks, with many questioning how a democracy can function if elected officials openly discourage opposition within their jurisdictions.

Amnesty International Nigeria quickly weighed in, describing Shekwolo’s comments as far more than a political preference. Instead, the rights group characterized the statement as a direct challenge to residents’ freedom of association and personal liberty. According to Amnesty, no public official holds the authority to make residency 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,” Amnesty International said.

Furthermore, the organization urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene promptly and prevent any attempt to enforce the chairman’s warning through intimidation or violence. Amnesty also called for accountability, insisting that public officials cannot be allowed to threaten citizens over their political choices without consequence.

Meanwhile, Shekwolo has defended his position by pointing to development projects he says the Tinubu administration and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have brought to Kuje. He argued that residents who benefit from these interventions should reciprocate with political loyalty during the 2027 general elections. In his view, it would be unreasonable for constituents to enjoy the dividends of governance while simultaneously working against the party responsible for them.

Nevertheless, critics maintain that public infrastructure and government projects are not favors that obligate citizens to vote a particular way. They argue that development is a right, not a bargaining chip, and that tying it to party loyalty undermines the very essence of democratic choice. As a result, many see Shekwolo’s comments as emblematic of a broader pattern where local officials attempt to consolidate political control ahead of major elections.

Additionally, the timing of the remarks has fueled further scrutiny, since they emerged just as political parties across the Federal Capital Territory intensify grassroots mobilization for 2027. Observers note that such statements, when made by sitting officials, carry weight beyond ordinary campaign rhetoric because they come attached to institutional authority and public resources.

So far, Shekwolo has not walked back his comments, and he continues to insist that his stance is non-negotiable. He reiterated that he would resist any effort by residents to work against the APC while he remains chairman of the council.

Ultimately, the controversy raises pressing questions about the boundaries between political advocacy and abuse of office in Nigeria. While officials are entitled to campaign for their preferred party, rights advocates insist that using the machinery of local government to threaten dissenting residents crosses a legal and ethical line. As reactions continue to pour in, attention now turns to whether security agencies and electoral bodies will respond to Amnesty’s call for intervention, or whether the matter will fade as just another flashpoint in Nigeria’s increasingly heated pre-election climate.

Tags: sojworldnews, kuje area council, samuel shekwolo, apc, amnesty international, nigeria politics, 2027 elections, fct