Thugs armed with cutlasses reportedly attacked a political gathering of the Accord Party in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Sunday, chasing participants away, destroying campaign materials and furniture, and injuring at least one person.

SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday while the FCT Accord Party youth leader was addressing party youths during a political gathering in Kuje.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the meeting had barely commenced when the men reportedly arrived at the venue armed with cutlasses and began attacking participants.

The attackers reportedly chased participants away from the venue and smashed tables and chairs with their cutlasses, leaving one person injured.

Videos seen by SaharaReporters showed different persons running in different directions as thugs attacked the reported meeting of the Accord Party.

In another video, banners, chairs and other items were seen destroyed in what appeared to be the aftermath of the crisis.

The attack comes amid growing political tension in Kuje ahead of the 2027 general elections, following controversial statements attributed to officials of the Kuje Area Council over residents’ choice of political candidates.

Although it was not immediately clear who organised the attack or whether the incident was directly linked to the recent political threats in the area, the assault has heightened concerns over the safety of opposition party members and supporters participating in political activities in Kuje.

SaharaReporters had previously reported that the Chief Protocol Officer to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Stephen Tumaka, threatened residents who may refuse to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Tumaka issued the threat in a social media post published last Tuesday, that the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, was reported to have warned residents that they should either support the APC or leave the area council.

In his post, Tumaka declared that Kuje belonged to the APC and warned residents who were unwilling to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates that they could no longer consider the area council their home.

Tumaka specifically mentioned Tinubu, Senator Philip Aduda and Hon. Bayani as candidates residents should support in the election.

He wrote: “LISTEN WELL

“Kuje is APC. If you are not ready to vote ASIWAJU TINUBU, SENATOR ADUDA, and HON. BAYANI on election day comes January, then this Area Council is not for you. Don’t mistake this for a joke. January is around the corner.”

The statement raised concerns over alleged political intimidation in Kuje, particularly because it came from a senior aide attached to the office of the area council chairman.

Tumaka’s warning also appeared to reinforce the position previously expressed by Shekwolo, whose remarks in a video sparked concerns over residents’ rights to freely participate in the electoral process without threats or coercion.

In the video that triggered the controversy, Shekwolo openly warned residents that they could either support the APC or leave Kuje Area Council.

The chairman said, “It’s either you’re doing APC or leave the Area Council. I am not hiding it at all at all. With confidence, I am saying it.”

He further explained his position by referring to the support he said the area council was receiving from the Minister and the President.

He added, “You know why: I cannot have the Minister and the President doing for us what they’re doing, and on the day of the election, you say you want to march/match me; I will not agree. It’s either you’re with us or you leave.”

The comments generated concerns among residents and rights advocates over the possibility of political intimidation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy is particularly significant because the threats involve officials of a local government authority, which is expected to provide services and protection to residents regardless of their political affiliations.

Amnesty International had earlier condemned the failure of Nigerian authorities to take what it considered appropriate security action against Shekwolo over his remarks.

The international human rights organisation said residents of Kuje were still living in fear because security agencies had allegedly failed to take steps to hold the council chairman accountable for threatening residents who would not vote for the APC.

“Residents of Kuje area council FCT will continue to live in fear as no effort has been made by security agencies to hold the council chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo to account, for threatening to unleash violence on anybody who would not vote for APC,” Amnesty International said.

The organisation described the attempt to make support for the APC a condition for peaceful residence and the exercise of civic rights in Kuje as unlawful.

“His desperate attempt to make voting for APC as the sole condition for living peacefully and exercising civic rights in Kuje is unlawful.

“Ahead of 2027 elections and beyond, it is essential that the Nigerian authorities ensure that any politician or other leaders, of any political party or grouping, responsible for carrying out or inciting or threatening politically, religiously or ethnically-motivated violence or human rights abuses must be held to account.”

The latest attack on the Accord Party gathering has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding political activities in Kuje ahead of the 2027 elections.

The incident raises concerns about the ability of opposition parties to hold meetings and mobilise supporters freely without fear of attacks or intimidation.

While political office holders and their supporters are entitled to campaign for their preferred candidates, the reported attack, coupled with the earlier statements attributed to the council chairman and his aide, has heightened questions about whether residents and political supporters could face intimidation or other consequences for exercising their constitutional right to support candidates of their choice.

Tumaka’s statement is particularly notable for its warning that residents who do not support Tinubu, Aduda and Bayani should regard the area council as being “not for” them.

The remarks and the latest reported attack also come at a time when political parties and civil society organisations are increasingly focusing attention on the need to protect voters from intimidation, violence and other forms of electoral interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amnesty International has consequently urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that politicians and other influential figures who threaten or incite politically motivated violence are held accountable.

The organisation stressed that the authorities must act against individuals responsible for carrying out, inciting or threatening politically motivated violence or human rights abuses, regardless of their political affiliation.

The identities of those who attacked the Accord Party gathering and their motive were not immediately established as of the time of filing this report.

It was also not immediately clear whether the police had commenced an investigation into the attack or made any arrests in connection with the incident.