Samuel Shekwolo, the chairman of Kuje Area Council, who threatened that residents of the area council must vote for the All Progressives Congress or leave the area council, has said that his statement was aimed at promoting development.

Amid criticism that trailed his statement that all residents of Kuje must vote for his party, Mr Shekwolo on Wednesday released another video, explaining that his earlier threat was misinterpreted.

“It is crucial to clarify the intent of the message, what it was for and for whom. The remark in question was made in a specific context aimed at addressing administrative efficiency, local development and community welfare,” Mr Shekwolo said.

He added, “You may recall that the event that led to the unfortunate incident was a meeting with APC party youth and loyalists.”

Mr Shekwolo said, “As executive chairman of Kuje Area Council, I have no right to disenfranchise residents or citizens of their fundamental human rights,” adding that his “administration remains committed to inclusive governance.”

On Tuesday, a video of Mr Shekwolo saying, “I’ve said in my area council, it is either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not hiding it. I’m saying it with all confidence,” emerged on the internet.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International strongly condemned Mr 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 call to violence and direct attack on freedom of association and liberty of persons.”

It added, “No one has the right to make living in a place in Nigeria tied to joining or voting for one political party. The police and other security agencies must immediately halt this plan to use violence on people for their political choices.”