The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, has sparked controversy following remarks he made while discussing the party’s plan to mobilise 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Tenebe made the comments during a mobilisation event in Edo State, where he referenced the APC’s reported performance in the recent local government elections and the party’s target for the next presidential election.
The APC chairman said the party intended to build on the votes it claimed to have secured in the local government poll and work towards achieving the 2.5 million-vote target announced for Tinubu.
According to reports, Tenebe subsequently made a reference to firearm-related violence while warning against individuals he said could obstruct the party’s efforts to achieve its target. The remarks were captured on video and circulated widely online.
Tenebe also linked the importance of securing large numbers of votes to issues surrounding the creation of additional local government areas and states.
He argued that strong electoral figures could strengthen a state’s position in discussions concerning the creation of additional administrative areas, while also urging APC supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
The remarks have generated reactions amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised Tenebe’s comments, with the party describing the language as potentially capable of heightening concerns about election-related violence.
The ADC has also called for attention from relevant authorities regarding political statements made ahead of the 2027 elections. The allegations and interpretation of Tenebe’s remarks are the position of the opposition party and have not been established as an official finding by security agencies.
The controversy comes shortly after the Edo APC inaugurated a 346-member campaign council for the 2027 elections.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, who inaugurated the council in Benin City, said the campaign structure was established to take the party’s message to wards and polling units across the state.
Okpebholo has publicly backed the 2.5 million-vote target for Tinubu and urged campaign council members to engage residents across the state. He also called for peaceful campaigns and cautioned against statements or actions capable of causing division.
The development comes as political parties in Edo intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with competing parties seeking to expand their support bases across the state.
The comments have also renewed attention on the role of political rhetoric in maintaining peaceful campaigns and ensuring a safe electoral environment.
As preparations continue, political parties and candidates are expected to campaign across communities and engage voters ahead of the presidential and other elections scheduled for 2027.
