The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Danjuma Shekwolo, Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, over his reported remark that residents should support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.

The opposition party made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following a video of Shekwolo that went viral on Tuesday.

In the video, the council chairman reportedly said he would not tolerate opposition from residents who, in his view, had benefited from interventions by President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The ADC described the statement as a “threat of forced displacement” and an attack on the constitutional rights of residents of Kuje, urging the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Department of State Services to arrest Shekwolo and charge him to court.

The party cited Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for freedom of association, freedom of movement and protection against discrimination, including discrimination based on political opinion.

The ADC stressed that Nigerians have the constitutional right to belong to political parties of their choice and to reside in any part of the country without being forced to relocate because of their political affiliations.

The opposition party also reminded Shekwolo that he was elected to represent all residents of Kuje, including those who did not vote for him. It noted that he won the chairmanship election with 17,269 votes, ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, who scored 15,824 votes, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, who polled 4,305 votes.

The ADC further linked the Kuje chairman's reported remarks to comments attributed to Francis Fadahunsi, the APC senator representing Osun East, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

According to the party, Fadahunsi had allegedly threatened opposition supporters over their political choices and was subsequently questioned by the police before being released without charge.

The ADC described the two incidents as evidence of what it called a growing pattern of political intimidation and impunity, arguing that public officials must not be allowed to threaten citizens because of their political preferences.

“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 party said.

“Ten days later, a council chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, under the president’s own nose, tells residents to vote APC or get out.”

The party also called on President Bola Tinubu to personally clarify his July 29 comment that “all is fair in politics,” warning that the statement could be interpreted by members of his party and public officials as condoning political intimidation and violence.

The ADC said if the President did not intend the statement to serve as a licence for intimidation, voter suppression, threats of violence or forced displacement, he should publicly clarify his position.

It further urged Tinubu to call Shekwolo and Fadahunsi to order and demonstrate that political differences would not be used as a basis for denying Nigerians their constitutional rights.