By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Oct.02, 2026
BENIN CITY — A wave of public outrage and widespread condemnation has greeted remarks made by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, after he openly threatened to unleash violence against anyone opposing the party’s election drive in the state.
In a viral video circulating across social media platforms, Tenebe declared that “AK-47 fire” would be unleashed on any individual or political opposition standing in the way of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s target to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The inflammatory statement was made during an address to party faithful and stakeholders, where Tenebe outlined the party’s grassroots strategy ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
Addressing the gathering, the Edo APC boss emphasized that delivering a massive vote turnout for President Tinubu is critical for securing federal patronage, state development, and the potential creation of additional local government areas.
Tenebe stated:
”Those who do not wish us well, who want 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 is more. To evoke general-purpose machine gun power, it is lighter. So anybody who refuses, who wants to stand in our way, for us not to have those votes that we intend to give to Mr. President, AK-47 fire!”
He further urged party members to work tirelessly, declaring that no sacrifice would be too great to guarantee the 2.5 million votes pledged to the President.
The explicit threat of violence has drawn sharp reactions from political opponents, civil rights groups, and concerned citizens across Nigeria, who described the remarks as a direct assault on democratic norms and the rule of law.
Critics point out that the threat to use prohibited firearms against political opponents violates electoral guidelines and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of choice.
Political commentators and opposition figures have called on law enforcement agencies—specifically the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS)—to immediately investigate Tenebe and hold him accountable for inciting public disturbance and voter intimidation.
”When political leaders publicly threaten citizens with automatic weapons simply for exercising their constitutional rights, it signals a dangerous slide into voter suppression and political violence,” stated a civil rights advocate reacting to the video.
As political tensions build up, Nigerians continue to await an official response from security agencies and the national leadership of the APC regarding Tenebe’s incendiary remarks.