Amnesty International Nigeria has called on Nigerian security agencies to investigate and hold accountable politicians accused of making threats capable of inciting political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rights organisation made the call in a statement published on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, following reported comments attributed to the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe.
Amnesty International alleged that Tenebe threatened to invoke the “power of AK-47” against individuals accused of working to frustrate the APC’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
According to the organisation, the alleged threat was made during a campaign rally in Edo State, where it said political violence had previously been reported.
Amnesty International questioned the response of security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as public threats of violence by political actors.
The organisation said such statements were being made in disregard of the rule of law and provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
It urged security agencies to investigate the allegations and ensure that politicians and other public figures, regardless of their political affiliation, are held accountable for statements or actions that incite, threaten or promote politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence.
Amnesty International further called for accountability for individuals involved in carrying out, encouraging or facilitating violence and human rights abuses before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
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