A legal practitioner and constitutional rights advocate, Mr Victor Onyekachi, has called on the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Mr Danjuma Shekwoyi, to issue a public apology over an alleged political comment he described as inflammatory and unconstitutional.
Onyekachi made the demand during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The lawyer’s reaction followed a video circulated on social media in which the council chairman was alleged to have told residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the area council.
According to Onyekachi, the chairman was quoted as saying: “It is either you are doing APC or you leave the Area Council.”
He described the alleged statement as reckless, provocative and inconsistent with the responsibilities of an elected public official.
“As a lawyer, citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a stakeholder in Kuje, I consider such a statement inflammatory, unacceptable and constitutionally offensive,” he said.
Onyekachi said his concern was heightened because the statement allegedly came from the head of a democratically established council expected to serve all residents regardless of their political views, ethnic background or religious beliefs.
He stressed that a public office belongs to the people and should not be treated as the property of any political organisation.
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution protects citizens’ rights to participate freely in political activities and associate with groups of their choice.
He referenced Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, saying citizens have the right to support or oppose any political party within the limits of the law.
The lawyer also cited Section 42, which protects Nigerians from discrimination based on factors including political opinion.
He argued that no elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten residents with exclusion from their community because of their political affiliation.
Onyekachi further pointed to Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution, which provides for citizens’ participation in government, noting that democracy requires tolerance of different opinions.
He said political disagreement, opposition and diversity of views are essential parts of a democratic system and should not be treated as wrongdoing.
The legal practitioner maintained that Kuje Area Council belongs to all residents and not to any political party.
“I hereby demand that the Chairman of Kuje Area Council immediately and unequivocally retract the reported statement,” he said.
He also demanded a public apology to residents who may have felt threatened or offended by the alleged remarks.
Onyekachi urged the council chairman to avoid future statements capable of intimidating or discriminating against citizens because of their political choices.
He said his position was not politically motivated but based on constitutional principles, adding that failure to address the matter within 48 hours could lead to further legal action.
The lawyer said holding public office requires responsibility, restraint and commitment to constitutional values, stressing that political authority does not determine who has the right to live in Kuje Area Council.
