ADC chieftain Okai Austin urges Wike to caution Kuje council chairman Samuel Shekwolo over alleged divisive remarks and threats against critics
African Democratic Congress chieftain Okai Austin on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, urged Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to caution Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo over remarks allegedly made in a viral video, warning that the comments could inflame political tensions in the Abuja area.
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Okai, a human rights activist, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja after the video circulated on social media.
According to Okai, Shekwolo was allegedly heard threatening to track down and attack people criticising him on social media.
The council chairman was also accused of telling residents who do not support the ruling All Progressives Congress to leave the area council.
The allegations have not been independently established, and Shekwolo’s response to the claims was not included in Okai’s statement.
Okai described the reported remarks as “uncalled for” and potentially dangerous, arguing that inflammatory statements from public officials could worsen tensions in communities where political differences already exist.
“The Federal Capital Territory is home to all Nigerians, as well as the international community. We must not allow anyone to escalate tensions,” Okai said.
The ADC chieftain called on Shekwolo to exercise restraint and promote tolerance among residents regardless of their political affiliations.
For Okai, the issue extends beyond a disagreement between political actors. He argued that elected grassroots officials have a responsibility to ensure their public statements do not create fear or deepen divisions within their communities.
“Being a local government chairman does not mean one should lack administrative civility. Kuje is known for peace and tolerance, and the leadership must reflect that,” he said.
Okai also urged relevant authorities to review the remarks attributed to the Kuje chairman and determine whether any further action was necessary to preserve public order.
His appeal comes against the backdrop of increasingly competitive political activity in the Federal Capital Territory, where local political disagreements can quickly become part of wider party disputes.
The ADC chieftain stressed that political affiliation should not determine a resident’s right to live and participate peacefully in an FCT community.
He urged Shekwolo to embrace dialogue and cited former FCT Senator Philip Aduda as an example of a political figure known for peaceful engagement.
Okai’s intervention also placed responsibility on Wike and other authorities to act before the controversy develops into a broader confrontation.
The minister, as the political head of the FCT, oversees the territory’s administration, although area councils retain their own elected leadership structures.
For residents, the central concern raised by Okai is whether political disagreements can be managed without turning public rhetoric into intimidation or exclusion.
Okai said responsible leadership requires restraint, tolerance and respect for divergent political views, particularly at the grassroots level where public officials interact directly with residents.
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He ultimately appealed for calm and timely intervention, saying political differences should not be allowed to undermine peaceful coexistence in Kuje or elsewhere in the Federal Capital Territory.
