ADC demands immediate arrest of Kuje Council Chairman over eviction threat

• Asks Tinubu to clarify ‘All Is Fair in Politics’ remark

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Mr. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over his reported declaration that residents must vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.

The party, which made the demand in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the remark as a threat of forced displacement and a serious violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.

The ADC said the reported declaration was particularly disturbing coming from an elected public official entrusted with the welfare and security of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliation.

The opposition party called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Mr. Shekwolo and charge him to court.

“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 pointed out that sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution guarantee citizens the right to freedom of association, freedom of movement and protection against discrimination, including on the basis of political opinion.

The party also noted that Mr. Shekwolo was elected with 17,269 votes, against 15,824 votes secured by the PDP candidate and 4,305 by the APGA candidate, stressing that as chairman, he had a responsibility to every resident of the council, regardless of how they voted.

The ADC said the Kuje incident was not isolated but part of what it described as a growing pattern of political intimidation.

It recalled the reported comments by APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the August 15 Osun governorship election, when he allegedly warned voters who supported candidates other than those preferred by his party.

The party said Fadahunsi had also allegedly threatened members of the Accord Party, including saying that they would be killed and that those with valid Permanent Voter Cards would not be allowed to vote.

The ADC expressed concern that although the senator was questioned by the police, he was released without charge or other apparent sanction.

According to the party, the alleged failure to sanction such conduct could encourage others to believe that political threats and intimidation carry no consequences.

The ADC linked the development to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s July 29, 2026 remark, “All is fair in politics,” made while receiving Catholic Bishops in Abuja.

The party urged the President to personally clarify what he meant by the statement and make it clear that it was not intended to legitimise 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 ADC said.

It added that a clarification issued by presidential aides would not be sufficient, arguing that since the words were attributed to the President, the clarification should also come directly from him.

“Silence at this point is not neutrality. Silence is ratification,” the party warned.

The ADC also called on the National Peace Committee to intervene immediately, rather than waiting until the 2027 general elections.

The party said the reported sequence of a presidential remark, alleged threats by a serving senator, an alleged eviction threat by a council chairman and the release of one of the officials after police questioning should be treated as an early warning sign.

“We invite the Committee to speak, publicly and without ambiguity, while speaking still costs nothing but courage. If it waits until 2027, it will be issuing condolences, not appeals,” the ADC said.

The party has therefore made seven demands:

*The immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo.

*The reopening and full prosecution of the case involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

*The preservation by the Police, DSS and INEC of all video, audio and documentary evidence relating to both incidents.

*A personal and public clarification by President Tinubu on his “all is fair in politics” remark, alongside a call to order directed at members of his party.

*The public disowning of Mr. Shekwolo’s statement by the APC and appropriate disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.

*A full retraction and public apology by Mr. Shekwolo to the people of Kuje.

“The formal designation of the FCT and Osun as early-warning locations by domestic and international election observers ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC said Nigerians were citizens with constitutional rights, not tenants whose right to live in any part of the country depended on their political affiliation.

“Nigerians are not tenants in their own country, holding their residency at the pleasure of a ruling party. We are citizens. The ADC will defend that distinction in every ward, in every council and in every court in this Federation,” the party declared.