The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly explain what he meant by his July 29 comment that all is fair in politics, saying his silence over recent political threats could send the wrong message.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the President should personally distance himself from statements that appear to intimidate voters and call members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to order.
The party’s demand follows reports that the chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, allegedly warned residents who do not vote for the APC to leave the council.
According to the ADC, “People’s right to live in their own country should not depend on the political party they support.”
Abdullahi said the Kuje chairman, as an elected official responsible for the safety and welfare of all residents, had allegedly linked citizens’ right to live in the area to the party they vote for, describing it as a threat of forced displacement.
The opposition party argued that Tinubu’s earlier remark that all is fair in politics has become more significant because of recent comments by 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 ADC added that the clarification should come directly from the President.
“Silence at this point is not neutrality. Silence is ratification.”
Beyond calling on Tinubu to speak, the party also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Shekwolo by the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
It said the alleged threat violates Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of association, freedom of residence and protection against discrimination.
The ADC also referred to an earlier case involving APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the Osun governorship election, claiming he allegedly threatened opposition supporters but was questioned by police and later released without facing charges.
According to the party, the lack of consequences in that case could encourage similar behaviour by other political actors.
It further called on the National Peace Committee to step in before political tensions worsen ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ADC challenges Tinubu to clarify ‘all is fair in politics’ remark