…Asks Tinubu to clarify ‘all is fair in politics’ statement
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, Kuje Area Council Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following a viral video in which Shekwolo was allegedly heard threatening to track down and attack critics on social media.
Shekwolo was also accused of warning residents who do not support the APC to leave the area council.
The ADC described the alleged remarks as “threat of forced displacement” and a dangerous escalation of political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Wednesday by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the ADC said Shekwolo’s alleged comments violated constitutional guarantees on freedom of association, residence and protection against discrimination based on political opinion.
The party urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Shekwolo, charge him and allow a court to determine the matter.
“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,” the party said.
The ADC also drew parallels between the Kuje incident and the controversy involving APC Senator
Francis Fadahunsi, during the August 15 Osun governorship election, when he was accused of threatening opposition supporters and was later questioned by the police.
The ADC said the two incidents should be viewed against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s July 29 remark that “all is fair in politics.”
The opposition party challenged Tinubu to personally clarify the statement and make clear that it was not intended to sanction intimidation, voter suppression, threats of violence or forced displacement.
“If that is not what the President meant, he should say so himself, and he should say so now,” the party said. The party also urged the President to call Shekwolo and Fadahunsi to order.
The ADC said silence from the President would be interpreted as tacit approval of the conduct. The party further urged the National Peace Committee to intervene immediately, warning that failure to act before the 2027 elections could leave the committee addressing the consequences of political violence rather than preventing it.
“We hope you are witnessing this,” the ADC told the committee. “If it waits until 2027, it will be issuing condolences, not appeals,” the opposition party added.
The party also questioned the implication of Shekwolo’s alleged threat, noting that elected officials are constitutionally obligated to protect all citizens within their jurisdiction irrespective of their political affiliation.
The ADC also demanded the reopening and prosecution of the case involving Fadahunsi, preservation of all audio and video evidence relating to both incidents, and that the APC publicly disown Shekwolo’s alleged statement and discipline him.
The party also called for a public retraction and apology from Shekwolo and urged domestic and international election observers to identify the FCT and Osun as early-warning areas ahead of 2027.
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