A viral video showing Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo threatening residents who refuse to support the APC ahead of 2027 elections has sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory is buzzing with controversy after a video making the rounds on social media caught Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo, issuing what many are calling a brazen and unconstitutional threat to residents of the council area.
In the now-viral footage, Shekwolo allegedly warned residents that those who do not align themselves with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections should simply pack up and leave Kuje. Yes, you read that correctly — a sitting council chairman essentially telling tax-paying Nigerians to leave their homes because of their political beliefs.
When Elected Officials Forget Who They Work For
This kind of talk is not new in Nigerian politics, but that does not make it any less alarming. Every time we think our democratic culture is maturing, something like this surfaces to remind us how far we still have to go.
Shekwolo, who was elected to serve all residents of Kuje — regardless of their political affiliations — appears to have confused the council secretariat with his personal property. The last time we checked, Nigeria operates a multiparty democracy, and every citizen has the constitutionally guaranteed right to belong to any political party of their choice. That is not a favour anyone is doing you — it is your fundamental right.
Nigerians React with Fury
As expected, the video did not sit well with Nigerians online. Social media users from all corners of the country dragged the chairman, with many questioning how a man entrusted with public office could make such a divisive and threatening statement.
Critics have pointed out that such behaviour is not only morally reprehensible but potentially illegal, as it could be interpreted as a form of political intimidation — something Nigerian law frowns upon.
Many residents of Kuje themselves have expressed shock, with some asking: “Is this the kind of leadership we voted for?”
The Bigger Picture: A Symptom of a Deeper Problem
Let us be honest with ourselves — what Shekwolo did is not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria, we have seen political figures use their positions to bully, intimidate, and coerce ordinary citizens into political loyalty. From local government chairmen to state governors, the culture of “support us or suffer” has become an unfortunate feature of our political landscape.
But Nigerians are waking up. The days when threats like these could silence communities are gradually fading. Citizens are increasingly documenting abuses, sharing them online, and holding public officials accountable — even if the formal institutions sometimes fail to act.
What Should Happen Next?
Civil society groups and human rights organisations have called on the relevant authorities — including the FCT Administration and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — to investigate Shekwolo’s conduct and take appropriate action.
A public official who threatens the people he was elected to serve has no business holding that office. Full stop.
As 2027 approaches and political temperatures across Nigeria continue to rise, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder that Nigerians must remain vigilant. Your vote is your power. Your rights are not negotiable. And no council chairman — no matter how loud his threats — can legally or morally take that away from you.
What do you think should happen to public officials who threaten residents over political affiliation? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below.
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