FCT: ActionAid Nigeria slams Kuje chairman’s partisan remarks

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the disturbing remarks by the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, who told residents they must support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the area council.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday said such remarks were incompatible with democratic governance and the responsibilities entrusted to an elected public official.

He said the area council belonged to the people, not to any political party.

“Once elected, a council chairman assumes responsibility for every resident, those who voted for him, those who voted against him, those who support other political parties and those who choose not to support any political party at all.

“This is deeply concerning. If an elected council chairman openly tells citizens that they must support a political party to continue living in an area under his administration.

“We must ask what message this sends to citizens who support other political parties or choose not to support any political party at all. Public office must never become an instrument for political intimidation, exclusion or coercion,” he said.

Dr Mamedu added: “Imagine that Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, or Omoyele Sowore of the AAC makes a statement such as, ‘If any citizen is not tired of the hunger and suffering in the country, then they should leave the country.’

“Would such a statement simply be dismissed as political rhetoric? Would our law-enforcement and security agencies remain silent? Even the citizens will revolt against such a statement.

“This is why institutions must be consistent. The law cannot be alert when statements come from opposition figures and suddenly become passive when similar conduct comes from individuals associated with the ruling party.”

“ActionAid Nigeria is particularly concerned that the Kuje incident is not isolated. Barely two weeks ago, ahead of the Osun state governorship election, Nigeria witnessed another disturbing episode involving remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East senatorial district.

“A viral video sparked allegations that the Senator had called for violence against members of the Accord Party.

“The Nigeria Police subsequently invited him for questioning over statements considered threatening, inciting, and intimidating, although the Senator maintained that his remarks had been distorted and that he was advocating defeating the opposition through votes.

“ActionAid Nigeria spoke out strongly at the time because violent political rhetoric must never be tolerated, irrespective of who makes it or which political party they represent.

“When, within a matter of weeks, we move from alleged threats against opposition supporters during an election in Osun to an elected chairman telling residents to support his political party or leave his council, we should be worried.

“These are no longer statements we can afford to treat as isolated political excesses. A dangerous culture of political intimidation is at risk of becoming normalised in Nigeria.”

He called on political parties to make it clear to their elected officials and supporters that threats, intimidation and exclusionary rhetoric had no place in Nigeria’s democracy.

Mamedu said political leaders must campaign on ideas, records, policies and solutions to the enormous challenges confronting Nigerians, not threats, fear or political coercion.

He called on law-enforcement institutions to show through their actions that everyone would be held to the same standard of accountability, regardless of political party, office, or proximity to power.