Ahead of FCT council elections, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on security agencies to invite and prosecute perpetrators of hate speech and open threat against candidates of opposition political parties.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, SDP said hate crimes of stalking, inciting sectional, tribal or religious threats to feelings and ethnic prejudices against religious groups order than one’s, as are seen being employed by the ruling party, speak to lack of democratic culture, corruption orientation, and show desperation arising from the emerging reality of unavoidable failure for the candidates of the APC ahead of FCT Council elections, particularly in AMAC.
The SDP said it had noted “the dangerously worrisome incitement to violence, unmistakable hate speech, intention of intimidation, and open threat by one anti-democratic agent and supporter of the ruling party, by name, Yamaho, in a viral video during their election campaign in the Mabushi area of the AMAC metropolis, against the highly refined and endearing candidate of our Party, the SDP, for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr Obinna Simon and his supporters, ahead of the February 21, 2026 FCT Council elections.”
The SDP noted that intimidation and harassment of candidates, and the bullying of the supporters of a leading opposition party like our great Party, are highly condemnable, and that such acts have far-reaching negative consequences and potential to get credible people disinterested in standing for elective office or public service.
“The SDP wholly condemns acts of violence associated with elections and will not tolerate any further intimidation of its candidates and supporters.
“The security authorities are hereby called upon to invite Yamaho for interrogation and get him prosecuted.
“The SDP reckons that citizens reserve the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, but the likes of Yamaho need to be educated and mindful that rights come with responsibility.
“The security authorities need to swiftly act and rightly, in public interest, when a person’s view and speech cross the acceptable limit and boundary from civility to the realm of criminality.
“The FCT authorities need to ensure that appropriate security measures are put in place to safeguard the personal safety of the electorate and prevent social tension and public disorder during and after the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections.
“It is in the best interest of the likes of overzealous agents of the APC, particularly Yamaho. who is obviously uncivilised, and his backers to get educated to know how to come to terms with the unchangeable reality diversity of the FCT, and relate responsibly with it, while contributing meaningfully to the building of an Abuja that works for all.
“Yamaho needs to be mindful of the fact that the FCT is for every Nigerian, irrespective of background, faith, and ethnicity,” the statement added.
The party said it is no longer deniable that Dr. Obinna Simon, the SDP candidate for the AMAC chairmanship, has become the man to beat in the forthcoming election, and it is so surprising that he will win convincingly.
The SDP called on all relevant security agencies to ensure his safety, before, during, and after the election, and also provide protection to all their supporters and the FCT electorate.
