The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo, has moved to calm the controversy surrounding his recent political remarks, insisting that his comments directing residents to support the All Progressives Congress or leave the council were taken out of context.
Shekwolo, who addressed journalists at a press conference on Wednesday, said the controversial statement did not represent his true intentions or the official position of his administration.
His clarification came after a video circulated widely in which the council chairman declared that residents of Kuje should either support the APC or leave the area.
“I have said in my area council that it’s either you are for the APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all,” Shekwolo had said in the footage.
He also argued that residents should support the ruling party because of projects and interventions he attributed to President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The remarks triggered strong criticism, with questions raised over political tolerance and the right of residents to freely support candidates and parties of their choice.
Responding to the backlash, Shekwolo said the public interpretation of his words did not reflect what he intended to communicate.
“In public governance, clarity, truth and transparency are essential. In recent days, certain statements made were taken out of context and leading to a distorted narrative that do not reflect my true intents or core values or the official position of this administration,” he said.
He maintained that the remarks were made during an engagement involving APC members and loyalists and were connected to discussions about local development, administrative effectiveness and community welfare.
“The remarks were made in a specific context aimed at addressing administrative efficiency, local development and community welfare,” Shekwolo said.
He added that the meeting that produced the disputed remarks was essentially a political gathering involving members and supporters of the APC.
The chairman also denied any intention to deprive residents of their constitutional or fundamental rights because of their political choices.
“I have no right to any resident or citizens of their fundamental human rights in the council,” he said.
Shekwolo said his administration remained committed to governing all communities in Kuje irrespective of political, ethnic or religious differences.
“Let me state sincerely that our administration remains fully committed to inclusive government, equity and total progress of every community in Kuje Area,” he said.
“At no point did I intend to cause disaffection, undermine any group or promote policies that do not serve the best interest of our citizens.”
The clarification marks a notable shift in tone from his earlier remarks, in which he had taken a firm position against residents opposing the APC.
In the earlier video, Shekwolo had said: “It’s either you are with us or you are against us,” while insisting that he would not accept voters rejecting the APC after what he described as development brought to the council by the Federal Government and FCT administration.
He has now appealed to residents across political divides to work with his administration for the development of Kuje.
“I urge the people of Kuje Area Council and general public regardless of their political affiliation, religious or ethnic differences to join hands with our administration to make Kuje Area the council of our dreams,” he said.
Shekwolo also directed part of his response at the media, urging journalists to exercise greater care when reporting statements made by political officeholders.
While acknowledging the press as an important institution in a democracy, he said the context in which remarks are made should be adequately reflected in reports.
“I urge the media to maintain high standard of professional journalism by verifying contexts before publications,” he said, adding that his administration remained open to constructive engagement and feedback.
The controversy is unlikely to disappear solely with the clarification, however, because the original remarks were captured on video and widely reproduced.
The emerging political question will therefore be whether Shekwolo’s explanation is sufficient to reassure Kuje residents that political opposition will be tolerated as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
For the council chairman, the press conference appears aimed at drawing a line under a controversy that quickly escalated from a partisan rallying call into a wider debate over political freedom, democratic choice and the conduct expected of elected public officials.
