ActionAid Nigeria has berated the Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Samuel Shekwolo, over his threats to non-supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) to leave the Council’s territory.

The non-governmental humanitarian organisation on Wednesday warned that it was anti democratic for politicians to normalise intimidation in the name of courting political loyalty.

Recall that Shekwolo had a few days ago, in a viral video while addressing his supporters, called on all residents who do not want to support APC in the coming general elections to immediately leave the council.

The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said the Council’s Chairman’s “ remarks are incompatible with democratic governance and the responsibilities entrusted to an elected public official.

Mamedu noted that the Area Council belongs to the people and the politician who demonstrated power drunkenness and undemocratic tendencies that must be avoided by supposed leaders.

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

“Imagine that Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, or Omoyele Sowore of the AAC makes a statement such as, ‘If any citizen is not tired of the hunger and suffering in the country, then they should leave the country.’ Would such a statement simply be dismissed as political rhetoric? Would our law-enforcement and security agencies remain silent?

Even the citizens will revolt against such a statement. This is why institutions must be consistent. The law cannot be alert when statements come from opposition figures and suddenly become passive when similar conduct comes from individuals associated with the ruling party.”

Mamedu further stated: “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.

“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.”

According to him, “ Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of association and political choice. Section 40 protects the right to associate freely, while the courts have affirmed that this freedom also protects citizens against compelled association.

“Furthermore, Section 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits threats intended to compel citizens to support or refrain from supporting a political party or candidate.

“ActionAid Nigeria therefore calls on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other appropriate institutions to examine the remarks and determine whether any applicable laws have been breached.

“We equally call on political parties, beginning with the All Progressives Congress, to make it clear to their elected officials and supporters that threats, intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric have no place in Nigeria’s democracy”.

He added that, “With campaigns for the 2027 general elections underway, political leaders must campaign on ideas, records, policies and solutions to the enormous challenges confronting Nigerians, not threats, fear or political coercion.

“ActionAid Nigeria calls on law-enforcement institutions to show through their actions that everyone will be held to the same standard of accountability, regardless of political party, office, or proximity to power”.

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