Amnesty International Accuses DSS, Police of Ignoring Edo APC Chairman’s AK-47 Threat Ahead of 2027
Benin City/Abuja—October 3, 2026—Amnesty International Nigeria has sharply criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for failing to act after the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, issued a widely circulated threat involving an AK-47.
In a statement posted on its X account on Friday, the rights organization said Nigeria’s security agencies were “failing in their responsibilities” as some politicians continue to publicly threaten violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, in “utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act.”
The Controversial Remarks
Tenebe made the comments during a campaign rally as Governor Monday Okpebholo toured the 18 local government areas of Edo State to mobilize support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The APC in the state has set a target of delivering 2.5 million votes for the President.
In a viral video, Tenebe was heard ranking different “prayers” or invocations. He described calling down “Holy Ghost fire” as heavier and invoking the “General Purpose Machine Gun” spirit as lighter, before declaring, “So anybody who refuses, who wants to stand in our way of not getting the 2.5 million votes we want to give to Mr President, AK-47 fire.”
He also directed the remarks at critics he labelled “our haters, the opposition people and the social media politicians,” who had questioned the feasibility of the ambitious vote target.
Tenebe cited the APC’s performance in the recent local government elections, claiming the party secured more than 2.1 million votes, as proof that the goal was achievable.
Amnesty’s Strong Response
Amnesty International Nigeria quoted the remarks and accused the Police and DSS of inaction.
The organization stressed that politicians and other leaders responsible for carrying out, inciting, or threatening politically motivated violence or human rights abuses must be held accountable.
“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,” the group stated.
Growing Concerns Over Electoral Violence
The episode has drawn widespread attention and criticism from opposition figures and civil society. Some described the language as voter intimidation and potential incitement, especially in a state with a history of political tension.
Edo’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) chapter, among others, has previously linked similar rhetoric to attacks on its facilities.
Nigeria’s 2027 elections are still months away, but early mobilization, ambitious vote targets and heated rhetoric have already raised fears of a tense contest.
Rights groups have repeatedly urged security agencies to apply the law evenly and prevent the normalization of violent language in political discourse.
As of Saturday morning, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the DSS had issued a public response to Amnesty’s specific allegations regarding Tenebe’s remarks. The APC has also not released an official clarification or apology.
The incident underscores broader worries about the integrity of the coming electoral process and the capacity of state institutions to rein in inflammatory speech before it escalates.
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