Nigeria: Abuja Council Chairman Asks Residents to Vote APC or Leave

What the report says

Premium Times, as distributed by AllAfrica, reports that Danjuma Shekwolo, chairman of Kuje Area Council in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, has triggered backlash after telling residents they should vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027 or leave the area council. The comments were made during a meeting last Friday while he hosted leaders and candidates from the FCT Youth Network ahead of the group’s leadership election scheduled for Saturday. A video of the speech has circulated widely online.

In the remarks, Shekwolo argued that residents should back APC because of what he described as development efforts by the current administration. The reporting says he framed the message as a political ultimatum, drawing condemnation from many Nigerians and human rights organizations. Kuje is one of the six area councils in Abuja, and APC currently controls most of them.

Amnesty International criticized the statement, warning that such language could fuel social unrest and violence. The group said public officials must protect people’s right to vote freely and without coercion, and it urged security agencies to address the matter. Social media users also reacted strongly, saying elected officials should focus on service delivery rather than intimidation. More broadly, the episode highlights continuing concerns in Nigeria about political pressure, voter freedom and the conduct of local officials during election season.