The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly clarify his July 29 remark that “all is fair in politics,” warning that his silence over recent political threats could create the wrong impression.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC urged Tinubu to personally distance himself from comments it described as intimidating to voters and caution members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against making such statements.
The party’s demand followed reports that the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, allegedly told residents who refused to support the APC to leave the council.
The ADC said, “People’s right to live in their own country should not depend on the political party they support.”
Abdullahi argued that Shekwolo, as an elected official responsible for the welfare and security of residents, had allegedly tied their right to remain in the area to their political choices.
The opposition party described the alleged statement as a threat of forced displacement and said it raised serious concerns about political intolerance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC said Tinubu’s earlier comment that “all is fair in politics” had taken on greater significance following recent statements attributed to some APC members.
“If that is not what the President meant, he should say so himself, and he should say so now,” the statement said.
The party insisted that any clarification must come directly from the President, adding, “Silence at this point is not neutrality. Silence is ratification.”
The ADC also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Shekwolo by the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged threat.
According to the party, the reported statement violates Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for freedom of association, freedom of residence and protection against discrimination.
The ADC further cited an earlier incident involving APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the Osun governorship election, alleging that he threatened opposition supporters but was questioned by the police and subsequently released without facing prosecution.
The party argued that the absence of consequences in such cases could embolden other political actors to make similar threats.
It also appealed to the National Peace Committee to intervene before political tensions escalate further as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
BACKSTORY:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over alleged political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The opposition party’s latest demand followed reports that Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo allegedly warned residents who do not support the APC to leave the council. The ADC urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to clarify his earlier “all is fair in politics” comment and distance himself from statements it considers threatening to voters. The party also called for the prosecution of the Kuje chairman and urged the National Peace Committee to intervene to prevent political tensions from escalating.
