Amnesty International Nigeria has urged Nigerian security authorities to investigate allegations of political violence threats made by politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections and ensure that those found responsible are held accountable.
The human rights organisation made the demand in a statement shared on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, following reported remarks attributed to the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe.
Amnesty International said Tenebe was reportedly quoted as threatening to deploy the “power of AK-47” against persons allegedly attempting to frustrate the APC’s ambition of securing 2.5 million votes for President Bola 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 also raised questions over the response of Nigerian security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as public threats of violence issued by politicians.
It noted that such remarks were being made “in utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act.”
Amnesty International called on the authorities to ensure that politicians and other public figures, irrespective of their political affiliations, are held responsible for actions or statements that incite, threaten or encourage politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence.
The organisation further stressed that accountability should cover individuals involved in carrying out or promoting violence and human rights violations before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
