ADC Reacts to Kuje Council Chairman’s Comment, Calls Out Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the arrest of Kuje Area Council Chairman, Danjuma Shekwolo, over his controversial comment that residents must support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the Federal Capital Territory council.

The opposition party described the statement as a threat to the rights and safety of residents, while linking it to President Bola Tinubu’s earlier comment that “all is fair in politics.”

Shekwolo had sparked criticism after a video of him speaking at a gathering surfaced online.

In the video, he 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.”

The chairman later clarified that the remark was made during a meeting with APC youths and loyalists and was not intended as an official policy of his administration.

He said, “You may recall that the event that led to the unfortunate incidents was a meeting with the APC party youths and loyalists.”

Shekwolo also acknowledged that his position as council chairman did not give him the authority to restrict the rights of residents based on their political affiliation.

“And as the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, I have no right to disenfranchise any resident or citizen of their fundamental human rights in the council,” he said.

He assured residents that his administration remained committed to inclusive governance and would not discriminate against anyone because of their political, religious or ethnic affiliation.

“Let me state unequivocally: our administration remains fully committed to inclusive governance, equity, and the total progress of every community in Kuje Area Council,” Shekwolo added.

But the ADC said the clarification was not enough and demanded immediate action from the security agencies.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described Shekwolo’s original remark as “a threat of forced displacement” and said it amounted to a violation of constitutional rights.

The ADC urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and prosecute the council chairman over the statement.

“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.

According to the ADC, the 1999 Constitution guarantees Nigerians the right to freedom of association, movement and protection from discrimination based on political opinion.

“Every Nigerian has the right to reside in any part of the Federation. And no government or public official may discriminate against a citizen on the basis of their political opinion. Mr. Shekwolo swore an oath to that Constitution. In one sentence, he violated three of its provisions,” the party said.

The ADC also pointed to the results of the Kuje Area Council election, noting that Shekwolo won with 17,269 votes, while the PDP candidate polled 15,824 votes and the APGA candidate secured 4,305 votes.

The party argued that the figures showed that a significant number of residents did not vote for Shekwolo or the APC, but remained entitled to the protection and services of the council.

The opposition party further linked the controversy to the recent allegations involving APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the Osun governorship election.

The ADC recalled that Fadahunsi had allegedly threatened opposition supporters and was later questioned by the police but released without being charged.

The party said the incident, followed by Shekwolo’s statement in Kuje, suggested a growing culture of impunity among some members of the ruling party.

“When a Senator can threaten to kill voters and keep his seat, a council chairman will conclude, quite reasonably, that he can threaten to evict them without consequences,” the ADC said.

The party then connected the incidents to a comment attributed to Tinubu during his meeting with Catholic bishops in Abuja on July 29, 2026.

According to the ADC, the President’s declaration that “all is fair in politics” had been interpreted by some members of his party as permission to engage in political intimidation.

“We say plainly what many Nigerians are already saying privately: this culture of impunity did not fall from the sky. It was authorised from the top,” the party said.

The ADC argued that statements made by the President could influence the conduct of political office holders serving under his administration.

“Words from a President are not idle. They are read as an instruction by every office-holder who owes his position to that President,” it said.

The party therefore demanded that Tinubu publicly clarify that his “all is fair in politics” comment was not a licence for intimidation, voter suppression, threats of violence or forced displacement.

“He should call the officials and elected members of his party to order, by name, beginning with Mr. Shekwolo and Senator Fadahunsi,” the ADC said.

“A clarification issued by aides in a press statement will not do. The words were the President’s. The correction must be the President’s. Silence at this point is not neutrality. Silence is ratification.”

The party also appealed to the National Peace Committee to intervene before the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to act early could have serious consequences.

“ADC also urges the National Peace Committee to speak now. If it waits until 2027, it may find itself issuing condolences instead of appeals,” the statement said.

The controversy comes after Amnesty International also condemned Shekwolo’s original remarks, describing them as a threat to the fundamental rights and safety of Kuje residents.

The human rights organisation urged the police and other security agencies to investigate the matter and ensure that no resident was subjected to intimidation or violence because of political affiliation.

Shekwolo, however clarified that his administration would treat all residents equally and urged the people of Kuje to work with the council despite their political differences.

“I urge the good people of Kuje Area Council and the general public, regardless of their political affiliation, religious or ethnic differences, to join hands with our administration to make Kuje the area council of our dreams,” he said.