Amnesty International and Yiaga Africa have condemned the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo, over alleged threats to eject residents who refuse to support or vote for the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

Shekwolo, who was elected on the APC platform in the February 2026 FCT Area Council election, made the remarks in a video circulating on social media on Tuesday.

The council chairman said residents who did not support the APC should leave the area council ahead of the 2027 elections.

He attributed his position to what he described as the developmental interventions of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Kuje.

According to him, residents could not benefit from the administration's interventions and subsequently vote against the APC.

“I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council; I’m not hiding that. With confidence, I’m saying it.

“You know why: I cannot have the President and minister doing what they are doing, and on the day of election, you will want to match me. It’s either you are with us, or you are out,” he said.

The remarks have sparked condemnation from civil society organisations, with concerns raised over the implications of such statements by public officials as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting in a post on X, Amnesty International described the alleged threat as a “call to violence” and an attack on freedom of association and the liberty of persons.

The organisation said no public official had the right to make residence in any part of Nigeria conditional on membership of or support for a political party.

“Authoritatively saying that those who will not vote APC must leave Kuje Area Council is a call to violence and direct attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons,” Amnesty said.

It urged the police and other security agencies to immediately intervene and prevent any attempt to use violence against residents because of their political choices.

Amnesty also described Shekwolo as “a danger to society” and called for him to be held accountable over the alleged threat.

“This plan to unleash violence on those who are not supporting the APC in Kuje Area Council will have a wider impact and will put lives at risk,” the organisation said.

It stressed that residents must be allowed to exercise their political rights freely, adding that “people’s right to political choices must be respected and upheld.”

Similarly, Yiaga Africa described the remarks as “irresponsible, inflammatory and highly condemnable.”

The organisation said no public official should threaten, intimidate or question a citizen’s right to reside in any part of Nigeria because of the citizen’s political choice.

“Such rhetoric is irresponsible, inflammatory and highly condemnable. No public official should threaten, intimidate or question a citizen’s right to reside in any part of Nigeria because of their political choice,” Yiaga Africa said in a statement.

It urged the Presidency and the APC to publicly distance themselves from the remarks and caution their officials and supporters against what it described as threats, intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric.

Yiaga Africa also drew attention to the peace accord recently signed by political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the commitments made under the agreement should be reflected in the conduct and public statements of political actors.

“This is particularly important given the commitments contained in the peace accord signed less than two weeks ago,” it said.

“Political parties and their candidates must demonstrate those commitments not merely through signatures, but through the conduct and rhetoric of their leaders and supporters.

“No Nigerian should be threatened with eviction from their community because of how they choose to vote,” the organisation added.