Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Democratic Congress has issued a direct and urgent demand to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly explain his July 29 comment that "all is fair in politics," warning that his silence over recent political threats could be interpreted as a ratification of intimidation tactics by members of his party. In a statement on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the President should personally distance himself from statements that appear to intimidate voters and call members of the ruling All Progressives Congress to order.
The ADC's demand follows reports that the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, allegedly warned residents who do not vote for the APC to leave the council area. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Shekwolo was heard declaring, "I have said in my area council that it's either you are for the APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all". The council chairman defended his position by citing development projects executed in Kuje by the Tinubu administration and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and vowed to use his authority to resist any attempts by residents to campaign or vote against the APC.
The ADC described Shekwolo's statement as "a threat of forced displacement" that breaches Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of association, freedom of residence and protection against discrimination. "A sitting elected official, in whose custody the safety and welfare of every resident of Kuje has been placed, has publicly tied a citizen's right to live in his own country to the party that they vote for. That is a threat of forced displacement," Abdullahi declared.
The party further connected the Kuje controversy to an earlier case involving APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the Osun State governorship election, alleging that Fadahunsi had threatened opposition voters with violence but was questioned by police and released without charge. "A sitting Senator of the Federal Republic publicly threatened to kill Nigerians over their political choice. He was questioned by the police. He walked away. No charge. No suspension. No consequence," the ADC said.
The ADC traced both incidents to President Tinubu's July 29 comment, arguing that presidential words carry particular weight among members and officials of the ruling party. On July 29, 2026, while meeting with Catholic Bishops in Abuja, President Tinubu declared: "All is fair in politics. And it's equal opportunity". The ADC argued that this remark could be interpreted as an instruction to every office holder who owes his position to the President.
"If that is not what the President meant, he should say so himself, and he should say so now," the ADC said, insisting that the clarification must come personally from Tinubu. "Silence at this point is not neutrality. Silence is ratification," the party added.
The ADC has called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services to arrest and charge Shekwolo, rather than merely invite him for questioning. The party has also urged the National Peace Committee to intervene before political tensions worsen ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that "if it waits until 2027, it will be issuing condolences, not appeals".
The Kuje council chairman's warning has drawn widespread condemnation from residents and opposition politicians, who have described his remarks as an infringement on their constitutional right to political association and freedom of choice. Amnesty International has also condemned Shekwolo's remarks, describing them as a direct attack on residents' freedom of association and political choice.
As of the time of this report, President Tinubu had not publicly responded to the ADC's demand for clarification. The Kuje council chairman's office has also dismissed the allegation, stating that his remarks were intended to encourage residents to support the ruling party over the development projects underway in the Kuje area, and that he did not threaten anyone or seek to deprive residents of their right to vote for candidates of their choice.
The controversy has once again raised fundamental questions about the limits of political rhetoric and the responsibility of public officials to uphold democratic values ahead of the 2027 elections. As the ADC has made clear, the issue is not just about one local government chairman's comments, but about a pattern of political intimidation that threatens the very foundations of Nigeria's democracy.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments