By Chiamaka Egwu
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” during the party’s mobilisation activities in the state.
HURIWA said Tenebe should explain the context and intention of the remarks and urged the DSS to determine whether they have any legal implications.
Tenebe was reportedly addressing APC supporters on the party’s mobilisation drive when he referred to “AK-47 fire”, alongside “Holy Ghost fire” and “General Purpose Machine Gun”, while speaking about those who might frustrate the party’s target of securing 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said political competition should not involve references to firearms or intimidation.
“Political competition cannot become a justification for threatening citizens, opposition supporters or political opponents with firearms,” the group said.
HURIWA urged the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the remarks and establish their context, intention and possible legal implications.
The group said the comments were particularly concerning as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against the normalisation of violent political rhetoric.
HURIWA also recalled the reported February 2026 attack on African Democratic Congress, ADC, leaders, including Peter Obi, during a political gathering in Benin City.
According to the group, armed men reportedly disrupted the gathering, forcing Obi and other political figures to seek safety, while security agencies subsequently commenced investigations.
However, HURIWA cautioned against linking the reported attack directly to Tenebe’s comments without credible evidence.
“Any connection between political statements and subsequent acts of violence must be established through credible investigation and evidence,” it said.
The rights group also urged security agencies to examine whether inflammatory political rhetoric was contributing to threats against political actors and their supporters in Edo State.
It called on the APC leadership to publicly condemn references to firearms in political mobilisation and reaffirm that electoral competition should remain within the bounds of democratic practice.
HURIWA said political parties and their officials should seek votes through persuasion, policies and lawful mobilisation rather than intimidation.
The group urged the DSS to invite Tenebe, investigate the reported remarks and make its findings public.
It further stressed that Nigerians should be able to support political parties and candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or violence, urging political actors to uphold peaceful democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
