The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC PCC) has raised alarm over alleged plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use intimidation and violence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The council made the accusation following a reported threat by Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who allegedly vowed to deploy AK-47 rifles against anyone attempting to stop the party from securing 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming presidential election. In a statement issued on Sunday, Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity for the ADC PCC, condemned the remarks as “inciting” and “terroristic,” calling them a clear attempt to instill fear among voters.
Ologbondiyan expressed shock that a state chairman of the ruling party would publicly threaten Nigerians with firearms if they refused to vote for the APC. He described the statement as an act of terrorism rather than politics, highlighting the desperation of a party he claims has failed the nation. The ADC PCC also denounced a recent attack on its members and the destruction of vehicles belonging to party supporters in Gegu, Koton Karfi Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident, according to the council, underscores a pattern of harassment and violence targeting opposition parties.
The statement emphasized that no action had been taken by the APC leadership or President Tinubu to condemn or retract Tenebe’s alleged threat. Ologbondiyan linked this silence to President Tinubu’s previous remark that “all is fair in politics,” which he said has emboldened some APC members to resort to intimidation, harassment, and illegal tactics. He argued that it is impossible for the APC to legitimately obtain 2.5 million votes in Edo State under a free and fair electoral process, citing widespread voter dissatisfaction due to economic hardship and insecurity under the current administration.
The ADC PCC stressed that the alleged threat to use AK-47 rifles violates both the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution. It called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to summon Tenebe for questioning. The council also urged international bodies such as the United Nations, European Union, African Union, ECOWAS, and the United States to closely monitor political developments leading up to the 2027 elections. Ologbondiyan insisted that the next election will be a referendum on the performance of the APC-led government and warned that intimidation would not deter Nigerians from voting.
Regarding the attack in Kogi State, the ADC PCC demanded a thorough investigation and called on local members to identify all those involved. The council urged security agencies to prosecute the perpetrators and ensure justice is served. As Nigeria prepares for its next democratic exercise, the ADC PCC remains vigilant, emphasizing that the right to vote must be protected and upheld without fear or coercion.
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