Indigenous residents of the Federal Capital Territory have accused Amnesty International of selective outrage, questioning its intervention in the controversy over the Kuje Area Council chairman’s “vote APC or leave” remarks.
The natives under the auspices of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation, AOIYEO, challenged the rights organisation to show similar concern over alleged demolitions, displacement, land disputes and marginalisation affecting original inhabitants of the territory.
The controversy followed a viral video in which Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo, was heard saying, “It’s either you are doing APC or leave the Area Council.”
The remarks attracted wild spread condemnation from Amnesty International and other groups, with Amnesty describing the statement as a threat to residents’ political freedom, and called for the chairman to be held accountable.
Shekwolo has since clarified the remark, saying it was made during a meeting with APC youths and loyalists and had been taken out of context. He also acknowledged that he had no authority to disenfranchise residents or deny them their fundamental rights because of their political affiliation.
However, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, AOIYEO Executive Director, Isaac David, said the organisation was not defending the chairman’s controversial statement but questioned Amnesty’s decision to intervene in the matter.
David described Amnesty as a respected global human rights organisation whose reputation, he said, carried an obligation to consistently confront systemic violations.
“Amnesty International is a globally respected organisation. The weight and credibility of that name carries the expectation of focus on systemic injustices, human rights violations, freedom from discrimination, dignity of original inhabitants and political and administrative marginalisation,” he said.
He questioned why, according to him, the organisation had not shown comparable concern over longstanding grievances involving indigenous communities in the FCT.
“It is therefore disappointing that in all these years, we have not seen Amnesty International speak up for the indigenous people of the FCT on issues of land rights, rights to life, exclusion and marginalisation by the Federal Government,” he said.
David cited alleged demolitions of indigenous homes, displacement without adequate compensation, land disputes and insecurity, arguing that such issues deserved sustained attention from human rights organisations.
He said indigenous residents had over the years raised concerns over their rights to land, property, security and political participation without receiving what he considered adequate support from international rights organisations.
“To now see the organisation involved in what is essentially a local political context issue at the local government level risks diluting the mandate of the organisation,” he said.
David also questioned Amnesty’s response to controversial political statements made during previous election periods, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s description of the 2007 election as a “do or die” affair and comments attributed to the Oba of Lagos during the 2015 elections concerning throwing a political opponent into the lagoon.
“Where was Amnesty International when these statements were made?” he asked.
He maintained that human rights organisations should apply the same standards regardless of the political personalities involved.
David further alleged that Amnesty had failed to adequately condemn insecurity, demolition of indigenous homes and what he described as the systematic marginalisation of original inhabitants of the FCT.
“In the aspect of insecurity, demolition of indigenous houses and marginalisation of the original people of the FCT, they have never for one day issued a press release condemning it or advising the government to be accountable for oppressing indigenous peoples,” he alleged.
While criticising Amnesty’s intervention, David said AOIYEO did not support political intimidation, stressing that residents should remain free to support parties and candidates of their choice.
He urged political leaders to exercise restraint and settle disagreements through democratic processes and dialogue, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could influence younger political actors.
David called on Amnesty to devote greater attention to what the organisation considers the longstanding human rights concerns of original inhabitants.
“We respectfully urge Amnesty International to redirect its attention to the collective and long-standing interests of indigenous peoples of the FCT. That is where your voice is most needed, and where justice has been delayed the longest,” he said.
“Please, turn your energy to the collective struggle of indigenous people of the FCT. That is where justice is owed. That is where your voice will mean the most.”
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the controversy surrounding the Kuje chairman did not deepen political divisions or undermine peaceful coexistence among residents of the FCT.
