By Hosea Parah
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), for ordering residents opposed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “leave the area council.”
In a video circulating online, the Chairman was heard stating, “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… It’s either you are with us or you are against us.”
He further added, “I cannot have the Minister and the President doing what they are doing, then on the day of the election, you will now say you want to match me. I will not agree.”
Reacting to the video, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said the statement is an intimidation, direct assault on the Constitution, and on democratic principles. He noted that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of association and to belong to any political party of their choice.
In addition, Section 41 guarantees freedom of movement and the right to reside in any part of the country, while Section 42 prohibits discrimination on the basis of political opinion.
Therefore, no Chairman, Governor, or President has the authority to banish a citizen from their community because of their political affiliation or views, and any such pronouncement is unconstitutional, null and void.
”The Commission also observed that such utterance amounts to an offence under Nigerian law. These include Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022 which prohibit threats and intimidation aimed at influencing voters, Section 416 of the Penal Code on inciting disturbance of public peace, and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 regarding the circulation of statements capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
”When a public officer draws a line between “us and them”, and threatens those who disagree, he is weaponising his office and fueling the ember of violence and hatred against non-APC members.
”History has shown that such rhetoric often begins with words and ends in blood, and the NHRC will, therefore, not wait for it to escalate.
”As Chairman, Mr Shekwolo swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and to serve all residents of Kuje without discrimination. He added that development projects by the Federal Government or the FCT Minister cannot and must not be used to purchase political loyalty or override constitutional rights.
”In view of the foregoing, the Commission is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Hon Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
”The Commission is also calling on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission) to immediately investigate, and put in place protective measures to prevent the harassment, profiling, or disenfranchisement of residents in Kuje ahead of the 2027 (general) elections.
”The APC leadership and the FCT Administration are also urged to issue a clear statement of disassociation affirming that party affiliation is not and cannot be a condition for residency or access to public services,” he said.
The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria reassured the people of Kuje that their rights are protected under the law. He further reminded all Nigerians that they are entitled to belong to any political party of their choice to live in kuje and they do not need to be APC to live in Kuje, and no one will be forced to trade their rights for infrastructure.
Ojukwu encouraged residents who experience any form of threat or intimidation to contact the Commission on its toll-free line 6472 or at the nearest NHRC office in the FCT.