Edo APC chair threatens ‘AK-47 fire’ against opponents of 2.5m votes target for Tinubu

Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has made a reference to firearms while speaking about the party’s plan to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Tenebe spoke in Benin City, the Edo state capital, on Friday while addressing APC supporters at a party gathering following the recent local government council election.

He said Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, had promised Tinubu 2.5 million votes from the state, adding that the party would work to prove that the target could be achieved.

Tenebe also claimed that the APC secured 2,158,600 votes in the state’s recent local government election, describing the figure as a feat that had never been recorded in a state before.

Referring to people he said might attempt to frustrate the party’s plans to deliver the target votes, Tenebe made a reference to firearms.

“Those who do not wish us well, who want to create an obstacle for us, I have a prayer for you,” he said.

“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.”

PRE-ELECTION INCENDIARY REMARKS AND THREATS

Tenebe’s remarks came amid a series of remarks by political actors ahead of the 2027 general election.

In September, Sainna Buba, Borno commissioner for youth and sports development, warned critics of the Babagana Zulum administration that those who “raise” their fingers against the government would have theirs cut off.

Buba spoke at a campaign inauguration organised by the City Boy Movement, a political support organisation backing Tinubu’s second-term bid.

In another incident, Muhammad Gadaka, APC chairman in Yobe, told women at a political rally in Nangere LGA that he would pay the bride price of women whose husbands divorced them for voting for the ruling party.

Gadaka later apologised, saying his remark had been misunderstood and was intended as a joke based on a traditional relationship between the Gamawa and Kare-Kare communities.

Also, Danjuma Shekwolo, chairman of the Kuje area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had told residents to support the APC or leave the council.

Shekwolo later backtracked, saying the remark was made at a meeting with APC youths and loyalists and was not intended to deny residents their rights based on political affiliation.

In Osun state, Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun East, asked his supporters to attack members of the Accord ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election.