Amnesty calls for probe into alleged AK-47 threat by Edo APC chairman

Amnesty International Nigeria has called on Nigerian security agencies to investigate and hold accountable politicians accused of making threats of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rights organisation made the call in a statement posted on its verified Facebook account on Saturday, following reported comments by the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Jarret Tenebe.

According to Amnesty International, Tenebe was quoted as threatening to invoke the “power of AK-47” against individuals allegedly working to frustrate the APC’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“Tenebe made the threat during a campaign rally in Edo State, where political violence is already rampant,” Amnesty International said.

The organisation questioned the response of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as public threats of violence by politicians.

It said such statements were being made “in utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act.”

Amnesty International urged the authorities to ensure that politicians and other leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, are held accountable for acts or statements that incite, threaten or promote politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence.

The organisation said accountability should extend to anyone responsible for carrying out or encouraging violence or human rights abuses before, during and after the 2027 elections.