The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has called for an investigation into an alleged threat involving the use of firearms ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that inflammatory political rhetoric could undermine voter confidence and increase the risk of electoral violence.
The council based its demand on comments it attributed to Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Jarrett Tenebe.
According to the ADC, Tenebe threatened the use of AK 47 rifles against anyone attempting to prevent the APC from delivering 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Edo State.
The allegation has not been independently established in the material available for this report and is being presented as a claim by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Director of Media and Publicity of the council, Kola Ologbondiyan, said security and electoral authorities should investigate the alleged remarks and determine whether any laws had been violated.
He argued that threats involving firearms have no legitimate place in democratic competition, particularly as Nigeria approaches another general election.
The ADC also linked its concerns to a reported attack on its supporters at Gegu in Koton Karfi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where it alleged that vehicles belonging to party members were damaged.
The campaign council described both developments as warning signs that political intimidation could become a serious issue ahead of the election unless authorities respond firmly.
It also criticized what it described as the absence of a public condemnation of the alleged comments from the national leadership of the APC.
Ologbondiyan maintained that political parties should be allowed to campaign freely and voters must be able to make electoral choices without threats, intimidation or violence.
The council further disputed claims that the APC could deliver 2.5 million votes in Edo State through a normal electoral process, arguing that the electorate should determine the outcome without coercion.
Beyond the dispute between the two political parties, the allegation raises a broader question about the responsibility of security agencies and electoral authorities to address potentially inflammatory statements before they translate into violence.
With the 2027 campaigns gathering momentum, the ADC said law enforcement agencies should treat threats involving weapons seriously irrespective of the political affiliation of those involved.
The council maintained that protecting voters from intimidation would be essential to ensuring that the outcome of the election reflects freely expressed choices.
