ADC demands arrest of Kuje council chair over ‘support APC or leave’ remark

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 (FCT), over his recent remark that residents should support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council.

In a video that went viral on Tuesday, Shekwolo said he would not tolerate opposition from residents who, in his view, had benefited from interventions by President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, FCT minister.

‘THREAT OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT’

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bolaji Abdullahi, its national publicity secretary, the ADC described the remark as a “threat of forced displacement” and an attack on the constitutional rights of Kuje residents.

The opposition party urged Olatunji Disu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Shekwolo and charge him to court.

The party cited sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that Nigerians have the right to belong to political parties of their choice, reside in any part of the country and not be discriminated against on the basis of political opinion.

The ADC also noted that Shekwolo won the Kuje chairmanship election with 17,269 votes, against 15,824 scored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and 4,305 by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The party said Shekwolo therefore has a responsibility to residents, including those who did not vote for him.

ADC LINKS KUJE CHAIRMAN’S REMARK TO OSUN THREATS

The ADC also linked Shekwolo’s comment to remarks by Francis Fadahunsi, APC senator representing Osun east, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun.

The party alleged that Fadahunsi had threatened opposition supporters and said he was later questioned by the police and released without charge.

According to the ADC, the two incidents are evidence of a pattern of political intimidation and impunity.

“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 ADC also called on President Bola Tinubu to personally clarify his July 29 comment that “all is fair in politics”, saying the statement could be interpreted as condoning intimidation and political violence.

The ADC argued that comments by the president could influence the conduct of officials and members of his party.

“If that is not what the president meant, he should say so himself, and he should say so now,” the party said.

It asked Tinubu to publicly clarify that the remark was not intended as a licence for intimidation, voter suppression, threats of violence or forced displacement.

The ADC also urged the president to call Shekwolo and Fadahunsi to order.

“A clarification issued by aides in a press statement will not do. The words were the president’s. The correction must be the President’s,” it said. (TheCable)