The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe over his reported “AK-47 fire” remark concerning President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 2.5 million votes in the 2027 presidential election.
Tenebe made the controversial statement at an APC gathering in Benin City during Governor Monday Okpebholo’s statewide mobilisation activities. The ADC described the comment as a threat and urged security agencies to determine whether it amounted to incitement or violated any law.
Key Highlights
- ADC asks the police, DSS and INEC to probe Tenebe over his reported “AK-47 fire” remark.
- Tenebe made the comment at an APC gathering in Benin City while discussing the 2.5 million-vote target for Tinubu.
- ADC described the statement as a threat rather than a political metaphor.
- Governor Monday Okpebholo has publicly promoted the 2.5 million-vote target.
- ADC chieftain Kenneth Imansuangbon rejected the target and pointed to voters and PVCs.
- No police or DSS invitation had been announced in the reports reviewed.
ADC Asks Police And DSS To Probe Tenebe
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, called for an investigation into Tenebe’s statement.
Ologbondiyan argued that a senior official of a ruling political party should not publicly invoke firearms while discussing efforts to secure votes.
The ADC official described the remark as unacceptable and urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and INEC to invite Tenebe and determine whether the statement constituted a threat, incitement or another breach of electoral or criminal law.
However, the call for an investigation remains a request by the opposition party. There was no indication in the reports reviewed that the police or DSS had formally invited Tenebe.
Edo APC Chairman Defends 2.5 Million Vote Target
Tenebe made the remark while responding to criticism over the APC’s target of securing 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in Edo State in 2027.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has publicly promoted the ambitious target as part of his political mobilisation for the next presidential election.
Tenebe reportedly told supporters that critics, opposition figures and social media commentators had questioned how the APC intended to achieve the figure.
He referenced the party’s performance in the state’s local government elections as part of the argument for the target.
The Edo APC chairman then used the phrase “AK-47 fire” while describing what he presented as a form of prayer against people he said wanted to obstruct the party’s objective.
Tenebe Describes Remark As A Prayer
According to the reported account, Tenebe framed his comments as a comparison between different forms of prayer rather than a direct declaration of an intention to use firearms.
He reportedly contrasted “Holy Ghost power” with “general-purpose machine gun power” before referring to “AK-47 fire” against those who would stand in the way of the party achieving its 2.5 million-vote target.
The wording has nevertheless triggered criticism from opposition figures, who argue that the reference to firearms is inappropriate in an electoral environment already affected by concerns over political violence.
The ADC has consequently asked security agencies to determine the legal implications of the statement.
Read also:
- Edo APC Chairman Tenebe Sparks Controversy Over AK Fire Warning to 2027 Vote Opponents
- Jarrett Tenebe Peter Obi Atiku: Edo APC Chairman Sparks Fresh Controversy Over State Visits
- Okpebholo Targets 2.5m Votes for Tinubu in Edo, Says One-Man, One-Vote Will Deliver Result
ADC Rejects Tinubu’s 2.5 Million Vote Target
The controversy has also brought the feasibility of the APC’s 2.5 million-vote target under renewed scrutiny.
ADC chieftain Kenneth Imansuangbon dismissed the target and said the opposition would rely on voters rather than intimidation.
Imansuangbon argued that the people and their Permanent Voter Cards would determine the outcome of the 2027 election.
He also challenged the claim that the APC could deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in Edo State, describing the target as unrealistic.
Edo 2027 Vote Target Sparks Political Debate
The 2.5 million-vote target is significantly higher than the margin recorded in the 2024 Edo governorship election.
Governor Okpebholo won that election by roughly 44,000 votes, defeating his closest challenger in a closely contested race.
The APC’s new presidential vote target therefore represents a much larger electoral ambition and has become a subject of political debate among the ruling party and opposition groups.
The ADC has argued that the target does not reflect the current political mood in the state, while APC officials have continued to mobilise supporters ahead of 2027.
Security Agencies Yet To Announce Action
Despite the ADC’s demand, no formal statement from the Nigeria Police Force or the DSS announcing an investigation or invitation of Tenebe had been reported at the time of publication.
The development therefore remains a political controversy centred on the interpretation and possible legal implications of the APC chairman’s statement.
Whether the security agencies will act on the ADC’s request could determine whether the matter develops into a formal investigation or remains part of the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 elections.
With political parties already intensifying their mobilisation across Edo State, statements involving electoral targets, political opponents and references to weapons are likely to attract increased scrutiny as the election approaches.
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