Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite and investigate the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, over his reported reference to “AK-47 fire” while speaking about the party’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Friday, said the reported remark should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, particularly with political activities ahead of the 2027 elections already intensifying.
Tenebe made the remarks in Benin City while addressing APC supporters at a party gathering following the recent local government election in the state. Reports of the remarks quoted him as referring to “Holy Ghost fire”, a “General Purpose Machine Gun” and “AK-47 fire” in warning those he said could stand in the way of the party’s 2.5 million-vote target for Tinubu.
HURIWA said the DSS should invite Tenebe to explain the context, intention and meaning of the statements and determine whether they constitute a criminal threat or breach any provision of Nigerian law.
Onwubiko said political competition could not be allowed to become a justification for threatening citizens, opposition supporters or political opponents with firearms.
The rights group also expressed concern over what it described as the growing use of violent political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It recalled the February 2026 attack involving Peter Obi and other African Democratic Congress (ADC) figures in Benin City, noting that the incident had prompted a police investigation. The Edo State Police Command subsequently confirmed that it had commenced investigation into the attack.
HURIWA said the earlier incident made the reported reference to AK-47s during political mobilisation a matter requiring the attention of security agencies.
The organisation, however, cautioned against establishing any connection between Tenebe’s reported comments and subsequent acts of violence without credible investigation and evidence.
It therefore urged the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate whether inflammatory political rhetoric was contributing to threats against opposition politicians and their supporters in Edo State.
HURIWA also called on the leadership of the APC to publicly condemn threats involving firearms and make it clear that electoral competition must be conducted within the bounds of democratic practice.
According to the organisation, Nigerians have the constitutional right to support political parties and candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation, harassment or violence.
HURIWA urged all political parties and their officials to pursue electoral support through persuasion, policies and lawful mobilisation rather than threats.
The group further called on the DSS to invite Tenebe without delay, investigate the reported statement and make its findings public.
It warned that the 2027 elections should not become a period in which references to firearms are treated as ordinary campaign language, stressing the need for security agencies to act before political rhetoric escalates into violence.
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