Amnesty International Nigeria has accused Nigeria’s security agencies of failing to act over alleged threats of political violence by the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The human rights organisation made the allegation in a statement posted on its official X account, citing reports that Tenebe threatened to invoke the “power of AK-47” against individuals allegedly seeking to frustrate the APC’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Amnesty said the reported statement was made during a political rally in Edo State, where it noted that concerns over political violence remained a serious issue.
The organisation questioned the failure of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to respond to what it described as public threats of violence by politicians ahead of the elections.
“Nigeria’s security agencies are failing in their responsibilities, @PoliceNG @OfficialDSSNG as some politicians continue to publicly threaten violence ahead of 2027 elections, in utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act,” Amnesty said.
It added that Tenebe, the Edo APC chairman, was quoted as threatening “to invoke the ‘power of AK-47’ against anyone plotting to thwart the party’s plan to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.”
Amnesty urged the authorities to investigate the reported remarks and ensure that politicians and other leaders who carry out, incite or threaten politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence are held accountable.
The rights organisation stressed the importance of accountability ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that threats capable of encouraging violence should not be ignored by security agencies.
“Ahead of 2027 elections and beyond, it is essential that the Nigerian authorities ensure that any politician or other leaders, of any political party or grouping, responsible for carrying out or inciting or threatening politically, religiously or ethnically-motivated violence or human rights abuses must be held to account,” it said.
The organisation’s statement comes amid heightened political activities across the country as parties and political actors begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The allegation against the security agencies and Tenebe’s reported remarks had not, in the material provided, been accompanied by a response from either the Police, DSS or the Edo APC chairman.
