*Says “Security Agencies Are Failing In Their Responsibilities”
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Amnesty International Nigeria has called on Nigerian security agencies to act against politicians who make statements threatening or inciting violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, following remarks by Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Jarret Tenebe, in which he invoked firearms while speaking about the party’s plan to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The human rights organisation specifically criticised the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service, accusing the agencies of failing in their responsibilities as political actors make public statements which it said disregard the rule of law and the country’s electoral framework.
Amnesty’s intervention followed the circulation of a video showing Tenebe addressing APC supporters in Edo State as the party mobilised towards its stated target of securing 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Tenebe made references to a General Purpose Machine Gun and “AK-47 fire” while warning people he said might stand in the way of the party achieving the vote target.
In the video, Tenebe told the gathering:
“Who wants to create an obstacle for us? I have a prayer for you. And that prayer is a lesser prayer. Because if you evoke Holy Ghost power, it’s more. To evoke general purpose machine gun power, it is lighter.”
He continued by referring to anyone who might “stand on our way” and prevent the APC from obtaining the votes it intends to deliver to the President. The concluding words have been widely reported as a reference to “AK-47 fire.”
TheCable reported that Tenebe made the remarks in Benin City at an APC gathering following the recent local government council election. He said Governor Monday Okpebholo had pledged to deliver 2.5 million votes to Tinubu and that the state party would work to meet the target.
Tenebe also claimed that the APC secured 2,158,600 votes in the recent local government election and presented the figure as evidence that the larger presidential vote target could be achieved.
Amnesty International, reacting to the remarks, said security agencies should not ignore public statements capable of encouraging political violence.
“Nigeria’s security agencies are failing in their responsibilities,” the organisation said, while accusing some politicians of continuing to publicly threaten violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amnesty said Tenebe had been quoted as threatening to invoke the “power of AK-47” against persons allegedly seeking to frustrate the APC’s 2.5 million-vote target for Tinubu.
The organisation characterised the remark as a threat of political violence and called for accountability, arguing that political actors should not be allowed to make such statements without consequences.
Amnesty further described Tenebe as a “danger to democracy and rule of law” and said he should be held accountable. That characterisation represents Amnesty International’s assessment of the remarks, not a judicial or official finding against the APC chairman.
The organisation broadened its call beyond Tenebe, saying the same standard should apply to politicians and leaders across political parties and groups.
It urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that anyone responsible for carrying out, inciting or threatening politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence or human rights abuses is held accountable, irrespective of political affiliation.
The controversy comes as political activities gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections and security agencies face renewed scrutiny over how they respond to inflammatory statements by politicians and their supporters.
Edo State itself has witnessed previous disputes and allegations of violence surrounding political activities. During the aftermath of the 2024 governorship election, for example, political parties traded accusations following shooting incidents and disagreements connected with the inspection of election materials.
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