BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has refused to withdraw his controversial warning invoking AK-47 gunfire against political opponents, insisting that the statement was a prayer rather than a threat of violence.
Tenebe defended the remarks in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune published on Saturday, October 10, 2026, after Amnesty International Nigeria called for an investigation into his comments.
The former soldier said he had not threatened to shoot anyone but had invoked what he described as the fire produced when an AK-47 rifle is discharged.
“I do not wish them the AK-47 bullet; I wish them the fire that comes out of it,” he said.
His explanation followed the circulation of a video published by Leadership in which he warned those seeking to obstruct the APC’s effort to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
VIDEO: Edo APC Chairman Makes Controversial ‘AK-47’ Remark Over Tinubu’s 2.5m Vote Target
Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe has sparked controversy after saying anyone who attempts to obstruct the party’s bid to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu….. “AK-47 f!re.”
— LEADERSHIP NEWS (@LeadershipNGA) October 2, 2026
The remarks prompted criticism over the use of language associated with firearms during political mobilisation.
Tenebe Says Remarks Were a Prayer
Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, Tenebe accused social media users of circulating edited footage that distorted the meaning of his statement.
He said he had been referring to political adversaries and had framed his words as a prayer against those seeking to frustrate the APC’s electoral ambitions.
Tenebe compared the expression to religious invocations of divine punishment and argued that wishing harm upon an opponent was different from threatening to carry out an attack.
“I was praying,” he said.
The APC chairman, who previously served in the military, also drew a distinction between the bullet fired from a rifle and the flash produced when the weapon is discharged.
He maintained that he had referred to the latter and had never advocated shooting political opponents.
The original recording, circulated in early October, showed Tenebe discussing the party’s determination to deliver the votes promised by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He directed the AK-47 warning at those he accused of attempting to obstruct that objective.
Amnesty International Demands Accountability
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the remarks and urged security agencies to investigate threats of politically motivated violence.
The organisation criticised the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services over what it described as inadequate responses to inflammatory statements by political figures.
In a statement, Amnesty called for accountability regardless of the political affiliations of those involved.
It said politicians and other public figures responsible for threatening or encouraging violence should be held accountable under the law.
The organisation also raised concerns about political tensions in Edo State ahead of the elections.
Tenebe’s subsequent interview did not indicate that he intended to apologise or retract his earlier statement.
There was no confirmation in the available reports that security agencies had opened a formal investigation into his remarks.
APC Plans to Transport Voters to Edo
Tenebe also defended the APC’s target of delivering 2.5 million votes to Tinubu in the presidential election.
He claimed that the party had secured 2,158,600 votes in Edo State’s most recent local government elections, a figure he presented as evidence that the presidential target was achievable.
The claim has not been independently verified.
The APC chairman said the party had identified more than one million registered voters from Edo who were living in other parts of Nigeria.
He disclosed plans to arrange transportation for eligible voters willing to return to the state for the presidential election.
According to Tenebe, the arrangements could include chartered aircraft, commercial buses, and vehicles provided by private supporters.
He said passengers would be required to show voter registration details establishing their eligibility to vote in Edo State.
Tenebe also linked the party’s electoral ambitions to its campaign for the creation of additional local government areas.
He said APC leaders intended to seek Tinubu’s support for that objective and were urging voters to elect the party’s candidates to the state and National Assembly.
The chairman also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and praised Okpebholo’s performance in office.
During the interview, Tenebe made additional hostile remarks about former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of insulting the president and threatening to confront them physically.
