Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe has sparked controversy after a video surfaced in which he warned that anyone who obstructs the party’s plan to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election would face “AK fire.”
Key Highlights
- Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe warned opponents against obstructing the party’s 2.5 million-vote target for Tinubu.
- Tenebe referenced the 2,158,600 votes the Edo APC says it secured in the 2026 local government elections.
- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused Tenebe of using language capable of inciting election violence.
- Tenebe had previously said the Edo APC would do “anything humanly possible” to achieve the 2.5 million-vote target.
- The latest remarks come as political parties begin early mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In the video, reported by Journalist101 on October 2, 2026, Tenebe referred to the Edo APC’s claimed performance in the recent local government elections, where the party said it secured 2,158,600 votes. The APC chairman described the figure as unprecedented and linked it to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s pledge to mobilise 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027. The vote figure and 2.5 million target have also been reported by other Nigerian media outlets.
Tenebe argued that strong vote totals could become important in future discussions over the creation of additional local governments and states in Edo State. He also said only the president could create additional local governments for the state.
Addressing individuals he said were seeking to frustrate the APC’s target, Tenebe issued a warning couched in references to firearms and spiritual power.
“Those who do not wish us well, who want to create an obstacle for us, I have a prayer for you,” he said, before comparing the warning to “Holy Ghost power” and “General Purpose Machine Gun power.”
He concluded by saying that anyone who attempted to prevent the party from delivering the votes it had promised President Tinubu would face “AK fire.”
Tenebe Previously Spoke About 2.5 Million Votes
The latest remarks follow earlier comments by Tenebe about the Edo APC’s 2.5 million-vote target.
In a late-September television interview, Tenebe said the party was prepared to do “anything humanly possible” to deliver the votes for Tinubu. He also used an extreme metaphor, saying he would remove any part of himself that became an obstacle to achieving the target.
Tenebe has consistently linked the 2.5 million-vote target to the APC’s reported performance in the 2026 Edo local government elections. In July, he said the party secured 2,158,600 votes in the council election and argued that the result demonstrated the feasibility of reaching the 2.5 million target in 2027.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has also publicly backed the 2.5 million-vote target, saying the Edo APC was committed to delivering the votes for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The Sun reported those earlier remarks.
Read also:
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- Okpebholo Pledges To Deliver On Mandate, Seeks Support For APC In 2027
- Opposition Figures Fault Tinubu Independence Day Address Over Economic Hardship
ADC Accuses Tenebe of Inciting Election Violence
The African Democratic Congress in Edo State has criticised Tenebe’s latest comments, accusing the APC chairman of using language that could contribute to election-related violence.
Edo ADC spokesperson Chris Ojeikere said similar comments by Tenebe had previously preceded an alleged attack on the ADC secretariat in the state. He urged Nigerians and security agencies to pay attention to the APC chairman’s statements ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ojeikere said the ADC would forward the video containing Tenebe’s latest remarks to security agencies. The allegations are the ADC’s position, and Tenebe has previously denied APC involvement in attacks on the party’s office, attributing such incidents to internal factional disputes.
2027 Election Tensions Build in Edo
The controversy comes as political parties in Edo State intensify their preparations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
For the Edo APC, the 2.5 million-vote target for President Bola Tinubu has become a major part of its mobilisation campaign. The party has repeatedly pointed to its reported 2026 local government election performance as evidence supporting the target.
As of October 2, 2026, reports cited in connection with the latest controversy had not indicated an official response from the APC national secretariat or security agencies to Tenebe’s latest video.
The remarks and the ADC’s reaction are likely to keep attention focused on political rhetoric and election-related security concerns in Edo State as the 2027 presidential election approaches. For more political updates, follow us on X.
