JARRETT TENEBE: DEMOCRACY AT GUNPOINT?
PAT ONUKWULI urges politicians to woo voters with better arguments, not ammunition Certain things must remain beyond the pale in a democracy. Political leaders may campaign vigorously, boast extravagantly and
Former Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe allegedly threatened violence against opponents in a video that has gone viral. Tenebe said he would use "AK-47 fire" against anyone hindering his party's electoral goals. He argued that his party is entitled to secure two and a half million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Edo State.
However, political experts argue that persuasion, not coercion, is the proper means to win elections. They stress that votes should be earned, not seized, and counted, not predetermined. Invoking firearms during an election is more than dramatic rhetoric; it crosses the line between persuasion and menace. Nigeria has suffered from this before, with politicians crossing the line between influencing voters and controlling their choices.
Political leaders must respect the principle that democracy is about ballots, not bullets. Institutions, like the Police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have a role to play in investigating such threats without presuming guilt. They should uphold the principle that voters, not political dictates, determine election results.
The danger lies in the normalization of inflammatory language, which can deepen divisions and undermine democracy. All political actors, from opposition to ruling parties, must be held to the same standard. Democracy requires restraint, persuasion, and ballots—not entitlement, intimidation, or bullets.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
