The Need to Call Jarrett Tenebe to Order

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has sparked controversy with a recent statement at an APC rally in Benin City. Tenebe threatened that anyone attempting to hinder the party's efforts to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election should be prepared to face "AK-47 fire".

This inflammatory comment followed the party's announcement of a campaign to deliver 2.5 million votes to Tinubu. Tenebe's remarks, which also included references to "Holy Ghost power" and a "general-purpose machine gun", have raised security concerns and drawn criticism from opposition groups and civil society organizations. Despite Tenebe being invited for questioning by the police, no further action has been taken.

This starkly contrasts with the recent arrest of five men in Maiduguri, Borno State, for allegedly distributing T-shirts with the slogan "Tinubu Must Go". Tenebe's inflammatory language suggests an attempt to create fear among voters ahead of the 2027 polls, which is unconstitutional and undermines the democratic process. The upcoming elections will be a crucial test of the various administrations' performances, and it is essential that Nigerians can exercise their right to vote without fear of intimidation.