Amnesty International has condemned the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, over his threat to chase out of the area anyone who refuses to join or vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The rights organization in a statement said Danjuma’s toxic rhetoric is an attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons.
Amnesty noted that no one has the right to make living in a particular place in Nigeria tied to voting for one political party.
It called on the police and other security agencies to halt the plan of using violence on people for their political choices.
Amnesty, however, described Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo as a danger to society and must be held to account for threatening violence on those who may not vote for APC.
The statement reads: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the chairman Kuje Area Council FCT Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo for threatening to chase out from the area anybody who will not join or vote for APC. Authoritatively saying that those who will not vote APC must leave Kuje area council is a direct threat to lives and an attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons.
“No one has the right to make living in a particular place in Nigeria tied to voting for one political party. The police and other security agencies must halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices.
“Security agencies must not look the other way, and must ensure that Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo face justice for these reckless and irresponsible threats to the people.
“The chairman Kuje Area Council FCT Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo is a danger to society and must be held to account for threatening violence on those who may not vote for APC.
“Government has obligation to ensure that, before and after all elections, human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled, as guaranteed under international human rights law and standards and the country’s own Constitution.”
